
■ 



I 





THE METAMORPHOSES 



OF 



PUBLIUS OVIDIUS NASO 



THE METAMORPHOSES 



OF 



PUBLIUS OVIDIUS NASO 



TRANSLATED IN ENGLISH BLANK VERSE 



BY 



HENRY ICING, M.A. 

Fellow of Wadham College, Oxford, and of the Inner Temple, 
Barrister-at-Law 






WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS 

EDINBURGH AND LONDON 

MDCCCLXXI 






96-845509 



ONLY A YEAR AGO 

IT WAS MY HOPE TO BE ABLE TO OFFER THESE PAGES, 

AS A TOKEN OF RESPECT, 

POLITICAL, SOCIAL, AND LITERARY, 

TO 

EDWARD GEOFFREY, EARL OF DERBY, 

SOMETIME PRIME MINISTER OF ENGLAND, CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY 
OF OXFORD, AND TRANSLATOR OF ' THE ILIAD.' 

"DIIS ALITER VISUM." 

I PREFER THE EXPRESSION OF THAT VANISHED HOPE 
TO ANY SUBSTITUTED DEDICATION. 



June, 1870. 



PREFACE. 



There are extant, as I learn from Lowndes, complete 
poetical translations of Ovid's great work, by Arthur 
Golding, " Gentleman," printed in 1567 : — by George 
Sandys, in 1626: — by Sir Samuel Garth, M.D., and 
others, in 1717 :— by J. J. Howard, in 1807 :— and by 
Thomas Orger, in 1811. The last, I am informed, was 
printed only for private circulation. 

I have never even seen the versions of Golding, 
Sandys, Howard, or Orger. Whatever their merits, 
the Public of 1870 knows absolutely nothing about 
them. 

The still well-known version, "by Dr Garth and 
others," is the work of no less than eighteen different 
hands, good, bad, and indifferent, famous and for- 
gotten. That fact alone suffices to show that it could 
hardly have been a labour of love. I am not con- 
cerned to inquire into the history of its making-up: — 
but, if Lowndes is right in giving 1717 as the date of 



Vlll PREFACE. 

its earliest publication, it will be observed that 
Dryden, its largest and best contributor, to whom are 
due two whole Books and eight other portions of 
Books, died no less than seventeen years before the 
work appeared: — and two, at least, of his collabo- 
rateurs, Maynwaring and Tate, were dead when it was 
published. Garth himself died in 1718-19. 

The Book, however compiled, was one of the de- 
lights of my boyhood, before I learned to read its 
original. It is not one of the delights of my more 
critical age. It seems, to me, generally to be lacking 
in Epic dignity. It is, of course, very unequal. 
Dryden is far from appearing at his best: but, in 
spite of his frequent carelessnesses, his introduction of 
incongruous modern representatives of classical words, 
his slovenly rhymes, his too numerous "needless 
Alexandrines," his triplets, his many lines (and those 
not of his worst) unwarranted by anything in the text, 
and his occasional coarseness of expression, — he is, as 
might be expected, " facile Princeps " of the Con- 
tributors. Addison gives (with two or three remark- 
able omissions) a level respectable version of Books 
II. and III. Congreve, Bowe, Gay, and Pope are 
more briefly represented : — the last only by one short 
passage. Of the rank and file, — Eusden, Croxall, Tate, 
Stonestreet, Catcott, Temple-Stanyan, Vernon, Ozell, 
A. Maynwaring, "Esq.," and Stephen Harvey, "Esq.," 
— (the rest are all plain " Mr ")— a good deal might be 



PREFACE. IX 

said, if it were worth while to say it. Welsted, known 
now only by Pope's Dunciad line — 

"Flow, "Welsted, flow, like thine inspirer Beer " — 

has the honour of concluding the version. (Lowndes 
mentions Ambrose Philips and Sewell as contributors, 
but I do not find their names in my edition of 1807.) 
The Editor, Sir Samuel Garth, M.D., himself is, in 
my judgment, immeasurably the worst of the lot. 
The Fourteenth Book, which is entirely from his pen, 
contains, in the original, 851 lines. Garth " does" it 
in 787 English. Those who know the proportions 
which English translation usually bears to Latin text 
— (and which it does bear in all the other Fourteen 
Books of his edition — ) will judge, at once, how much 
he must have left out : — and anybody who takes the 
trouble to compare him throughout with his original, 
will hardly, I think, be disposed to admit that his 
portion of the work deserves the name of a translation 
at all. 

The theme is tempting enough, — but I refrain from 
all detailed criticism. As, however, I have touched 
upon the subject of the relative proportions of trans- 
lation and text, it may not be without statistical 
interest to add, that the original work contains 11,994 
lines : — the version of Garth and his " eminent hands " 
extends to 16,546 : — my own is comprised in 14,951. 

I have left out very little indeed: — and I have 



X PREFACE. 

certainly inserted infinitely less than Garth and his 
collaborateurs. Without any pretension to rigid 
verbal fidelity, but avoiding mere paraphrase as 
much as possible, I have endeavoured to give a con- 
scientious rendering of Ovid's language and ideas. 
Whether I have succeeded or failed, is not for me to 
judge. 

I hope that in what I may call, for want of a 
better word, the " improper " passages of Ovid, while 
I have nowhere shirked the fair rendering of the 
Author's language, I have not in any instance 
heightened the warmth of his colouring. Ovid did 
not write, nor do I translate, "virginibus puerisque." 

Lastly, I have, on consideration, resolved not to en- 
cumber the book with notes. Ovid assumes so much 
knowledge, mythological, historical, geographical, and 
genealogical, on the part of his readers, that to explain 
his innumerable undeveloped allusions fully to the 
mere-English student, would necessitate the trans- 
lation of half the notes of the Delphin Commentators. 
And, whether rightly or wrongly, I am under the im- 
pression that the large majority of those who will take 
any interest in my book, will be persons already not 
unfamiliar with classical literature, and more or less 
able to supply from memory such explanations as 
notes would contain. 

Anything like an Essay on Ovid's Life, Character, 
Times, and Works, — if such be still wanted, — I leave 



PREFACE. XI 

to the Keviewers, if I find any. — And, with these few 
prefatory observations, I tender to the Public a Trans- 
lation which has furnished employment and amuse- 
ment for the leisure hours of three years past. 

HENBY KING. 



5 Paper Buildings, Inner Temple, 
June 29, 1870. 



THE 

METAMORPHOSES 

OF 

PUBLIUS OVIDIUS NASO 



BOOK I. 



THE METAMORPHOSES. 



BOOK I. 

I. Op bodies into novel shapes transformed 
My Muse the tale designs. Gods ! (for ye too 
Have tried these changes,) aid the bold emprise, 
And, from the primal origin of things 
Down to our times, deduce the unbroken song ! 5 

Ere Earth and Ocean and all-covering Heaven 
Grew into separate form, great Nature's face 
Through all existence but one aspect wore : — 
Chaos 'twas called ; — a rude unfeatured mass, — 
A mere vast weight inert, — discordant seeds 10 

Of ill-matched things in one huge heap compressed. 
No Titan gladdened yet with light the world ; — 
No Phoebe filled anew her growing horns ; — 
No floating Earth in iEther circumfused 
By her own weight hung balanced ■ — round the shores 1 5 
No Amphitrite twined her circling arms. 
Land, Water, Air, together mixed and blent ; — 
Land stable to no foot, — Water which gave 
No space to swim, — and Air devoid of light. 



4 CHAOS. [Book I. 

No proper form to aught : — perpetual jar 20 

And conflict, through the mass, of Hot to Cold 

Opposed, of Wet to Dry, of Soft to Hard, 

Of Light to Heavy, — till the Power divine 

And kindlier Nature bade their contest cease, 

Dividing Earth from Heaven, and Sea from Earth, 25 

And liquid iEther from our grosser Air : 

Which, from the blind heap where they lay, evolved, 

And each to separate place assigned, she linked 

Thenceforward in the holy bond of Peace. 

Then first the weightless force of convex Heaven 30 

Shot upward, like a fire, and took by right 
The topmost station : — next beneath, the Air, 
Second in lightness and in place. More dense 
Than these, oar Earth the grosser elements 
Together drew, by her own weight depressed 35 

To lower seat : — while Water, outmost, seized 
The wardship of her borders new declared, 
Circumfluent, belting the compacted World. 

II. When thus whoever of the Gods it was 
Disposed the severed mass, and severing ranged 40 

Its elements, — first, lest our Earth should lie 
Erom end to end one flat and level tract, 
Into the fashion of a mighty globe 
He orbed her form, around diffusing Seas, 
Bidden to swell with force of rapid winds 45 

Tumultuous, and embrace her circled shores. 
Fountains he added, — meres, and lakes immense, 
And falling rivers, hemmed 'twixt sinuous banks, 
Whereof some, disappearing, in the soil 



Book L] EARTH— THE WINDS. 5 

Absorbed are lost, and some, which reach the sea, 50 

Adopted in that freer flood, desert 

Their narrow banks, and lash an ampler shore. 

Then spread he out the plains, and bade the vales 

Subside ; — with shading foliage roofed the woods, 

And piled on high the rocky mountain-steeps. 55 

Next, as two zones, alike to right and left, 

With one more hot between, transsect the sky, — 

With answering tracts the thoughtful God marked out 

The included earth, — five also, — zone for zone : 

Whereof the midmost glows too hot for life ; 60 

Too cold the extremes, snow-laden : but betwixt, 

On either side, circles a kindlier belt, 

With temperate mixture blessed of heat and cold. 

O'er all the Air impends, heavier than Eire 

As Earth than Water, — realm to mists assigned, 65 

And clouds, and thunders, soon to shake with dread 

The hearts of men, and lightnings, and all Winds 

That numb the Earth with cold. Yet not to these 

Through all that wide domain promiscuous range 

Did He who shaped the world permit ; — when scarce, 70 

While each with separate blast his proper tract 

O'ersweeps, her frame unriven stems their force. 

Discordant band of brothers ! wide o'er earth 

Disparted : — Eurus to Aurora's realms, 

Persia, and Nabathcea, and the peaks 75 

First lighted with the rosy flush of morn : — 

Zephyrus to "Vesper, and the shores which lie 

Warm with the setting Day-God. To the north 

Eushed Boreas, raving over Scythian wastes 

Terrific ; while the opposing Pole extends 80 



6 THE AGE OF GOLD. [Book I. 

With rainy Auster moist and constant clouds. 
Next above Air was liquid iEther placed, 
Weightless, from all gross earthy mixture pure. 

These scarce had in their several seats the God 
Established, when the Stars, which long had lain 85 

Weltering unmarked in chaos, through the expanse 
Of Heaven's whole concave blazed in glory forth ; 
And, that no region of the world should lack 
For living tenants, thus, with awful forms 
Of Gods associate, peopled all the sky. 90 

To glittering fish the waters gave a home ; 
To beasts the earth ; to birds the restless air. 

Something yet lacked — some holier being — dowered 
With lofty soul, and capable of rule 

And governance o'er all besides, — and MAN" 95 

At last had birth : — whether from seed divine 
Of Him, the artificer of things, and cause 
Of the amended world, — or whether Earth 
Yet new, and late from iEther separate, still 
Eetained some lingering germs of kindred Heaven, 100 

Which wise Prometheus, with the plastic aid 
Of water borrowed from the neighbouring stream, 
Eormed in the likeness of the all-ordering Gods ; 
And, while all other creatures sought the ground 
With downward aspect grovelling, gave to man 105 

His port subhme, and bade him scan, erect, 
The heavens, and front with upward gaze the stars. 
And thus earth's substance, rude and shapeless erst, 
Transmuted took the novel form of MAN". 

III. The Golden Age was first : — when Faith and Eight 



Book I.] THE AGE OF SILVER. 7 

Were honoured, by no law enforced with fear 1 1 1 

Of pain or penalty. No tablets graved 

Brazen, with threatening edicts bade men read 

Their duties, — and no suppliant suitor quailed 

At frown of judge austere : — but all were safe * 115 

Unguarded. Not as yet the axe had shorn 

The pine-tree from its hills, dragged down to breast 

The waves in search of foreign climes ; and men, 

Save their own shores, no other region knew. 

No trenches fenced with hollow belt the towns. 120 

The sinuous horn, the straighter trump, the helm, 

The sword, the soldier's use, as yet unknown, 

Marred not the peaceful ease of life secure. 

Spontaneous Earth, unwounded by the stroke 

Of share or harrow, gave them all her store. 125 

Content with food unlaboured, fruit they plucked 

Of arbutus, or mountain- strawberry, 

Cornels, black berries from the thorny bush, 

And acorns dropped from Jove's wide-branching tree. 

Amidst eternal Spring, the gentle breath 130 

Of Zephyr fostering cheered the unsown flowers. 

Earth gave her corn unploughed, and, year by year, 

Unfallowed, whitened fresh with plenteous grain. 

With flood of milk and nectar ran the streams, 

And from the oak the honeyed gold distilled. 135 

IV. When— Saturn down to darksome Tartarus hurled — 
Jove ruled the world, the Age, of Silver called, 
Succeeded, worse than that of Gold, but far 
Before the following time of tawny Brass. 

'Twas Jove the limits of the primal Spring 140 



8 THE AGES OF BRASS AND IRON. [Book I. 

Contracted, and, with change of seasons four, 

Winter, and Summer, Autumn variable, 

And shortened Spring, filled out the furnished year. 

Then first the torrid breath of August noons 

Seemed fraught with fire : — then first December winds 

Glued to the eaves the pendent icicle : — 146 

Then first men framed them houses, rude enough 

At outset, in the cavern, or the hut 

With branches roofed, and walled with wattled reeds. 

Then in long furrows first the buried seed 150 

Was laid, and 'neath the yoke the bullock groaned. 

Y. To this the Brazen Age succeeded third, 
Sterner of bent, and prompt to horrid arms, 
But not, as yet, to crime. For that reserved 
Came the last Age, of Iron. Then at once 155 

All wickedness on man's corrupted race 
Burst flood-like. Fled dismayed Shame, Truth, and Faith, 
And Fraud, and Snare, and Falsehood seized their place, 
And Violence and the damned greed of Pelf. 
For this the seaman. spread his daring sail 160 

To winds yet unencountered, and with keel 
(Long time the glory of the mountain-side) 
Adventurous bounded over unknown waves. 
Earth's surface, common erst as light and air, 
Was meted out with grasping fence and line ; 165 

And more was asked of her than corn, and life's 
Due nutriment : — her very bowels torn 
Gave up that wealth, of all our ills the spring, 
By her more wisdom in her mines concealed 
Deep-locked, and neighbouring to the Stygian shades. 1 70 



Book I.] . THE GIANTS' WAR. 9 

Hence hurtful iron, and more hurtful gold ; 

Hence War, who fights with both, with bloody hand 

His clashing weapons wielding. Spoil henceforth 

Is life's support and rule. The guest his host 

Mistrusts, the sire his son : scarce holds the bond 175 

Of brothers' faith : husband and wife alike 

To wife and husband dangerous live : and fierce 

The stepdame crowns with poisonous drugs the bowl. 

Sires live too long, — and sons, impatient, ask 

Why death so lingers? Kindly Piety 180 

Lies trampled under foot ; and Justice, last 

Of heavenly kind, deserts the blood-stained earth. 

VI. Nor iEther yet than Earth — so runs the tale — 
More safe remained. The Giant brood attacked 

The heavenly mansions, piling mount on mount 185 

Heaped upward to the stars. But these the Sire 

Omnipotent, with lightning-bolt, through all 

Olympus flashing, hurled adown, and dashed 

Ossa from Pelion headlong. Earth, 'tis said, 

Long with the mass of bodies huge o'erwhelmed, 190 

Was flooded with her children's gore ; till, last, 

Lest all trace of her wild brood should be lost, 

She warmed the smoking stream to other life 

In human form ; whence sprang a race, of Gods 

Contemptuous, prone to violence and lust 195 

Of strife, and bloody-minded, born from blood. 

VII. This from his height with grief great Saturn's son 
Beheld ; and, mindful of the banquet foul 

That spread Lycaon's table — (horror yet 



10 STORY OF LYCAON. [Book I. 

New, and by fame to vulgar ears untold), — 200 

Conceived immortal wrath, and worthy Jove. 
The Gods, to council called, in haste attend. 

Across the azure vault there lies a way, 
Sublime, of milky whiteness, whence its name, 
By which Heaven's lords approach the Thunderer's roof 
And regal palace. Proud, on either hand, 206 

Stand wide the portals of the nobler sort — 
The meaner dwell apart : — adown it look, 
Direct, the mansions of the mightiest Gods. 
The Capitol of Heaven, if so my tongue 210 

Unblamed may name it. Here their marble thrones 
They filled ; — great Jove, in place pre-eminent, 
On ivory sceptre leaning, thrice and once 
Shaking the awful honours of his head, 
Eocked Earth, and Sea, and Heaven ; and in dread tones 
Indignant spake the wrath that stirred his soul. 216 

"Never, Gods, felt I more nearly touched 
" The empire of the world : — no, not when all 
" The Giant-brood their hundred serpent-arms 
" Upreared to capture Heaven. No puny foes 220 

" They strove : but still a faction, and alone, 
" For their own cause of warfare. Now, the race 
" Of mortals, wheresoever Nereus roars 
"Around the Earth, must perish. By Hell's streams 
"Which subterraneous lave the Stygian groves 225 

" I swear, — since vain all remedies, all tried, — 
" This ulcer must by steel be deep-excised, 
" Lest spreading it corrupt the parts sincere. 
" My Demi-gods alone, my rustic Nymphs, 
"My Satyrs, Eauns, and Silvans mountain-nursed, — 230 



Book L] STORY OF LYCAON. 1 1 

" Not worthy yet of Heaven's more honoured seats, — 

" May hold, in peace, their earthly haunts assigned. 

" Else, think, ye Gods, how long would these be safe, 

"When thus, more savage than his savage kind, 

" Lycaon's bloody treachery dares assail 235 

"Even me, who wield the bolts that shake the world, 

" And rule supreme and sovereign of ye all 1 " 

He paused ; and from the Gods indignant rose 
Loud murmurs, swelling into hot demand 
Of judgment on the criminal. Not less, — 240 

When late an impious traitor-band conspired 
To drown in Caesar's blood the name of Eome, — 
With such dire ruin threatened, all mankind 
Confounded stood, and horror shook the world. 
Nor then, Augustus, was Rome's loyalty 245 

More grateful to thy soul, than now to Jove 
The sympathy of heaven. But not the less 
With glance and gesture of command he checked 
The growing clamour, and, when silence hushed 
The reverent Gods, the silence broke anew. 250 

" He pays, ere now, his crime — dismiss that care ; 
" But what that crime, and what its doom, attend 
" And learn. Of man's condition to the skies 
" Eeport came, infamous : which to disprove 
" Still hoping, from Olympus down to Earth 255 

" My way I took, and, putting off the God, 
" Disguised in human semblance walked the world. 
" 'Twere long to tell what ills I found, more foul 
" Than Eame herself had painted. I had passed 
" By Msenalus, dread haunt of savage beasts, 260 

" Cyllenus, and Lycseus' wind-swept pines, 



12 STORY OF LYCAON. [Book I. 

" Till darkening eve closed round me at the gate 

" Of Arcady's inhospitable king. 

" My godlike rank declared, the people thronged 

" Adoring : but Lycaon mocked their faith. 265 

" ' Soon will we prove/ he scoffed, 'beyond all doubt, 

" ' If this our guest or God or Mortal be.' , 

" First, while I sleep he plans with sudden blow 

" My murder, — meet experiment of truth ! 

" Nor this alone. A hostage, whom he held 270 

" Pledge of Molossian faith, with ruthless hand 

" He slaughtered, and his limbs, yet quivering, thrust 

"Part into seething caldrons, part on spits, 

" To boil or roast, and heaped with both the board. 

" Then burst my flames avenging, whelming all 275 

" In ruin, house and household-Gods, of such 

" A lord well worthy. Terror-struck he fled, 

" And through the silence of the distant plains 

" Wild howling, vainly strove for human voice. 

" His maddened soul his form infects : — his arms 280 

" To legs are changed, his robes to shaggy hide ; — 

" Glutting on helpless flocks his ancient lust 

" Of blood, a wolf he prowls, — retaining still 

" Some traces of his earlier self, — the same 

" Grey fell of hair — the red fierce glare of eye 285 

" And savage mouth, — alike in beast and man ! 

VIII. "So fell one house : — but not one house alone 
" Has merited to fall. O'er all the earth 
" Eeigns the dire fury, — as though men had sworn 
" One bloody league of crime. So let them pay 290 

" The penalty deserved. Their doom is passed ! " 



Book I.] THE DELUGE. 1 3 

He spake : — and Heaven with voice and nod approved 
The fiat, urging the offended Sire 
To vengeance. Yet not grievous less to all 
Seemed Man's extinction : — and " What fate," they ask, 295 
" Awaits unpeopled Earth 1 " " What hands shall heap 
" With incense now their shrines 1 " " Mnst savage beasts 
" With tooth and claw exterminate mankind 1 " — 
Questions like these the Father bade their minds 
Dismiss undoubting : — His the future care 300 

By some creation marvellous to fill 
Earth with a better race, unlike the old : — 
And brandished now the awful bolts, to blast 
The world : yet paused, lest sacred iEther's self 
Should kindle, traversed by so many fires, 305 

And Earth's long axis burst in quenchless flame : — 
Eemembering how the Fates had told the time 
Must come when Land, and Sea, and Heaven, shall burn, 
And all the World's huge mass be fused in fire. 
So lays he by his weapons Cyclop-forged, 310 

And plans a different doom : — to loose the clouds 
At once o'er all the heaven, and whelm mankind 
Beneath the waters, — Aquilo in caves 
iEolian fettering, with all blasts that clear 
The clouded skies, and bidding Xotus blow 315 

Unchained. Forth Kbtus leaped, with dripping wings ; 
His face in pitchy darkness veiled, — his beard 
Heavy with showers ; — from his white locks profuse 
The rain-floods poured ; — his brow with mist was wreathed, 
And from his robes and pinions dropped the dew. 320 

With his broad hand the rack he pressed, and down 
The floods rushed resonant ; — all ^Ether shed 



14 THE DELUGE. [Book I. 

One dense dark shower ; — while Juno's messenger, 

The many- coloured Iris, all her drops 

Collects, and with fresh moisture feeds the clouds. 325 

Waste lie the waving fields, — the farmer's hope 

Is marred, — and all the long year's labour lost. 

Nor from his heaven alone Jove storms : — below 

His Ocean-Brother lends auxiliar waves, 

And summons all his streams. His streams attend. 330 

To whom — " No time is now for lengthened charge ! 

" Pour forth," he cries, " your powers ! fling wide your gates ! 

" This is your task : and, all impediment 

" O'erthrowing, give the reins to all your floods ! " 

He spake — and these, returning, straight unsealed 335 

Their fountains, and across the plains with course 

Unbridled swept. He with his trident smote 

The Earth, who, yawning to the shock, disclosed 

Her central springs. From all their channels freed, 

Over the open fields the rivers rush, 340 

Herbs, trees, beasts, men, their dwellings, and the fanes 

Of Gods, with all their altars, in one whirl 

Of ruin whelmed. If any house yet stood 

Unwrecked, what boot 1 when o'er its roof the wave 

Surged higher, and its turrets 'neath the swell 345 

Tottered submerged. And now of land and sea 

Distinction quite was lost. All, over all, 

One Ocean rolled, — an Ocean without shore ! 

While yet the flood was deepening, to the hills 
Some fly, — some, huddled into boat or raft, 350 

Eow, where but now they ploughed : — steering o'er fields 
Of corn, and roofs of buried farms, among 
Strange fishes, lost amidst the elm-tree tops, 



Book L] DEUCALION AND PYRRHA. 1 5 

Anchoring perchance in meadow green, or where 

Some vineyard grates with hidden poles the keel. 355 

Where fed the nimble goat, huge seals disport 

Their bulk unwieldy : underneath the flood, 

Groves, houses, towns, the wondering Nereids view. 

Amid the woods, perplexed, the dolphins stray, 

Jostling the boughs of loftiest oaks. The wolf 360 

Swims with the flock. Here floats the tiger ; there 

The tawny lion. Little now avails 

The boar his fiery strength • — the o'ermastered stag 

His swiftness ; even the wandering birds, worn out 

In the vain quest of land and resting-place, 365 

Let fall their weary wings, and strew the waves. 

And now the unbridled licence of the flood 

Had drowned the hills, and o'er the mountain-peaks 

Strange billows dashed. Of men upon the waves 

Most weltered; while the few whom these had spared, 370 

By lingering famine wasted, pined and died. 

Betwixt Aonia and the Actsean fields 
Lies Phocis, fruitful land while land it was ; 
Now a wide waste of waters, and mere part 
Of Ocean; whence a mount, Parnassus hight, 375 

With cloven crest, above the clouds aspires 
To heaven, sole summit unsubmerged. To this 
Drifted Deucalion's bark — himself and spouse 
Its only freight. Quick landing, they adore 
The Nymph Corycian and all Deities 380 

Who haunt the steep, and Themis, awful power, 
Disclosing there the mandates of the Pates. 
Than he no better, juster man had lived ; 
Than she no woman holier. And now, Jove, 



1 6 DEUCALION AND PYRRHA. [Book I. 

Seeing the world with one wide lake o'erspread, 385 

And of such countless myriads left alive 

Of either sex but one, both innocent 

Alike, and both observant of the Gods, 

Dispersed the clouds, and drave the showers, and bade 

Earth look once more on Heaven, and Heaven on Earth. 

JSTor longer Ocean's wrath endured. Aside 391 

Neptune his trident lays, and smooths his waves, 

And calls cserulean Triton, rearing o'er 

The deep his scale-armed back, and bids him fill 

His sounding shell, and, with quick signal, call 395 

The waters to their place. The hollow trump, 

Sinuous, expanding, gradual, as it wreathes, 

He takes — the trump which, in mid ocean filled, 

Loud echoes to the shores of either Sun — 

And lifts it to his streaming beard, and blows 400 

The summons of return, wide heard by all 

The waters spread o'er earth and sea, and, heard, 

Obeyed. The sea its shores, the stream its bed 

Eesumes, the floods subside, the peaks emerge, 

The lesser hills peep out, and, as the wave 405 

Eecedes, the surface grows ; the forests, last, 

Long-drowned, their heads uprear, despoiled and foul 

With lingering slime, above a world restored. 

But o'er the desolate waste, untenanted, 
With silence sad, Deucalion gazed, and thus, 4ro 

Not without tears, to Pyrrha spake : — " thou, 
" My sister sole, sole wife, sole woman left, 
" Joined erst by birth, and race, and wedlock-bond ; 
" Joined now by common jeopardy, — we twain, 
" Where'er yon Sun, rising or setting, shines, 415 



Book L] DEUCALION AND PYRRHA. 1 7 

" Are all Earth's people ; Ocean shrouds the rest. 

" Nor hold we yet our lives secure ; those clouds 

" Have not yet lost their terrors. Oh ! but think, 

" If thee alone the Fates had spared, what lot, 

" Me losing, had been thine ! How hadst thou borne 420 

" Alone thy fears 1 what comfort for thy grief 

" Couldst hope 1 For I, believe me, if the wave 

" Had whelmed thee, wife beloved, in that same wave 

" Following had whelmed myself ! Oh, that I now 

" That art paternal knew, to people fresh 425 

" The Earth, and give to plastic clay a soul ! 

" Now in us twain alone remains the race 

" Of mortals — so the Gods have willed. We two 

" Survive, the sole example of Mankind." 

Weeping he spoke, she heard. Recourse to Heaven 430 

Alone is left, — an oracle for guide. 

Together to Cephisus' stream they haste, — 

Still turbid, though its wonted bed once more 

It keeps, — and with its sacred waters lave 

Their brows and robes, ere yet their steps approach 435 

The awful Goddess' shrine, — fane now deformed 

With moss, — and altars whence no name ascends. 

Before its threshold-step the couple fall 

Prostrate, and print with reverent kiss the stone. 

And " Oh," they say, " if ever prayer sincere 440 

" Had power to bend or win the Gods, or soothe 

" The wrath of Heaven, — tell, Goddess dread, what art 

" May mend this ruin of our race, and, kind 

" As powerful, aid us in our sore distress ! " 

Then, not unmoved, the Goddess spake — " Depart 445 

" My shrine, and, with veiled head and vest ungirt, 

B 



1 8 THE EARTH RESTOCKED. [Book I. 

" Behind you fling your mighty Mother's bones !" 

Silent and stunned they heard. But Pyrrha first 

Broke the long pause : — she cannot execute 

Such hest, imploring pardon if she shrinks 450 

And trembles by such sacrilege to vex 

A parent's honoured shade. But, pondering long 

The hidden meaning of the oracular voice, 

Dark with mysterious phrase, Prometheus' son 

Some comfort spies, and, cheerful, to the child 455 

Of Epimetheus — " Or my judgment fails, 

" Or this mysterious bidding of the Gods 

" May well be done — for Heaven commands no crime. 

" Our mighty Mother is the Earth : — these stones 

" Upon her surface strewn the Goddess calls, 460 

"Methinks, her bones — 'tis these she bids us fling." 

He spoke, and Pyrrha half persuaded heard 

The comment plausible, — though hope in both 

Was faint, and faith yet lacked in Heaven's behest. 

But what the harm in trying 1 — They descend 465 

The mount, and, with veiled head and vest ungirt, 

Behind them, as commanded, fling the stones. 

And lo ! — a tale past credence, did not all 

Antiquity attest it true, — the stones 

Their natural rigour lose, by slow degrees 470 

Softening, and softening into form ; and grow, 

And swell with milder nature, and assume 

Bude semblance of a human shape, not yet 

Distinct, but like some statue new-conceived 

And half expressed in marble. What they had 475 

Of moist or earthy in their substance, turns 

To flesh : — what solid and inflexible 



Book L] THE EARTH RESTOCKED. 1 9 

Forms into bones : — their veins as veins remain : — 
Till, in brief time, and by the Immortals' grace, 
The man-tossed pebbles live and stand up men, 480 

And women from the woman's cast revive. 

So sprang our hard enduring race, which speaks 
Its origin — fit fruit of such a stock. 

IX. All other life in various shapes the Earth 
Spontaneous bare, soon as the Sun had kissed 485 

Her bosom yet undried, and mud and marsh 
Stirred into ferment : — and all seeds of things, 
As in some mother's womb, beneath the soil 
Nutritious warmed, waxed numberless, and rose 
Matured to shape. As, when the seven-mouthed Nile 490 
From the soaked fields withdraws his flood, and rolls 
Betwixt his wonted banks, and Summer's rays 
On the fresh slime beam kindling, countless forms 
Of life beneath his share the ploughman finds, 
Wondering — some scarce advanced beyond the stage 495 
Of first conception, — lacking some this limb 
Or that, imperfect ; — while, in some, half lives, 
Half drags unborn, nor disengaged from earth. 
For Heat and Moisture, duly mixed, conceive 
And generate all things. Fire and Water, foes 500 

By nature, with concordant discord breed 
Embracing, all-creative vaporous warmth. 
And thus when Earth, yet with the recent flood 
From all her pores exuding, felt the glow 
Of Heaven's returning sun, unnumbered kinds 505 

Of life she uttered — some in ancient form 
Renewed, and some in strange and monstrous shape. 



20 DAPHNE CHANGED TO A LAUREL. [Book I. 

Then first — abhorrent of her fruit — she bore 

Huge Python, serpent-prodigy, the dread 

Of the new world, o'er half the mountain's side 510 

Enormous coiled. But him the Archer-God 

With all his quiver's store of shafts, untried 

Till now on aught save deer or nimble goat, 

Smote to the death, and from a thousand wounds 

Drained the black torrent of his poisonous gore : — 515 

And, that the memory of the deed might live 

Through after-time, his famous festival 

And Pythian contest, from the monster's name 

So called, ordained : — where, of the rival youth, 

Whoso in strength of hand or speed of foot, 520 

Or skill to guide the car surpassed, went crowned 

With oaken chaplet : for the laurel yet 

Was not, and Phoebus from what tree he would 

Plucked garland for his brow and streaming hair. 

X. Peneian Daphne was the earliest flame 525 

Of Phoebus, not chance-kindled, but by spite 
Of angered Cupid. Him the Delian, flushed 
With Python's slaughter, found, his bow with string 
Elastic bending, and, " What, wanton Boy," 
He cried, " hast thou to do with manly arms, 530 

" More fitting hands like mine, who know to strike 
" With certain wound or beast or foe, — who smote 
" But now that monstrous snake whose poisonous coil 
" Oppressed so many acres 1 For thy grasp 
" Enough the torch, some petty fire of love 535 

" To kindle; to my hands my weapons leave !" 
To whom the child of Venus — " Do thy darts 



Book I.] DAPHNE CHANGED TO A LAUREL. 21 

" Strike all, Phoebus 1 Then let mine strike thee ! 

" And if all else confess thy aim, — thou mine, — 

" Mine be the greater glory ! " With the word 540 

He shook his wings, and shot through air, and stood, 

Malicious, on Parnassus' leafy top, 

And from his quiver drew two shafts, of force 

Distinct, one tipped with love, and one with hate, — 

The first with golden barb acute, the next 545 

Blunted with lead. With this the Maiden's breast 

He struck, with that the Day-God, through and through 

Transfixed. At once one loves ; the other loathes 

A lover's name. 'Mid forest-shades the lair 

Of captive beasts despoiling, emulous 550 

Of Phoebe, Goddess chaste, her locks untressed 

Artless, and but with virgin-fillet bound : 

Xor lacking suitors, spurning all, untamed, 

Unwon, she traverses the woods, nor cares 

To know what Hymen, love, or wedlock mean. 555 

Oft urged her sire his natural right. " I claim 

" A son-in-law, my daughter ! Child, I claim 

" Grandchildren of thee ! But the very thought 

Of marriage-rite and torch was crime ; the name 

Alone suffused her cheeks. Around his neck 560 

She flung her fondling arms, and " 0, my sire, 

" Best, kindest, dearest, grant me still to live 

" Perpetual virgin ! — Jove no less allowed 

" To Dian's prayer." The unwilling sire was won : 

But vain the maiden's hope ; her charms forbade 565 

Her wish, and beauty's self denied the vow. 

For Phoebus seeing, loves, and loving, hopes, 

'Spite of his own oracular foresight, blind; 



22 DAPHNE CHANGED TO A LAUREL. [Book I. 

And, as light stubble kindles, when the ears 

Are garnered — or dry hedge, with careless spark 570 

Of traveller's torch, too nigh approached, or left 

Smouldering, at early morn's departure, bursts 

In flame — so sudden burned the God, and fed 

With hope a love undestined to success. 

If beauteous thus her locks dishevelled flow, 575 

What charms were theirs when braided ! How those eyes 

Flash, like to stars ! Such lips ; ah ! who can see 

Content alone with seeing ? Every grace 

Of hand, and arm, wellnigh to shoulder bared, 

Argues unseen perfection. Light as air 580 

She flies, and deaf to his recalling prayers. 

" Oh stay ! oh Maiden, stay ! No foe pursues 

" Thy footsteps. Let the lamb the wolf, the deer 

" The lion fly, or trembling doves the kite, 

" Their natural foes — 'tis love that follows thee ! 585 

" Ah Heaven ! if thou shouldst fall, or thorns should wound 

" Those dainty limbs — and I the cause ! Ah ! see 

" How rough thy path ! If thou must fly, yet fly 

" Less wildly, while less wildly I pursue ! 

" Learn who it is entreats thy love ! No boor, 590 

" No shepherd I — no herdsman sues thee, rough 

" And brutish as his charge. Thy ignorance flies 

" It knows not whom, unreasoning. Mine the steep 

" Of Delphos, — Claros, — Tenedos, — the realms 

" Of Patara. My sire is Jove. My voice 595 

" Reveals what was, and is, and is to come. 

" Mine music, wedded to immortal song ! 

" My shaft is sure — surest save one, whose barb 

" Stings now my inmost soul. Mine too the fame 



Book I.] DAPHNE CHANGED TO A LAUREL. 23 

" Of medicine. Me a grateful world surnames 600 

" ' The Healer : ' and the virtues of all herbs 
" I know : alas ! that never one of all 
" Hath power on love ! and all the arts which help 
" All others, fail to help their lord alone ! " 
/ And more he would have spoken, but the Maid, 605 
Unheeding, fled alarmed the unfinished speech, — 
Even then how fair ! The meeting breezes flung 
Backward her streaming hair, and swelled and tossed 
Her robes, revealing every charm of shape 
By flight enhanced. Nor longer wastes the God 610 

His amorous entreaties, — passion-spurred, 
And urging with all speed the headlong chase. 
As when the greyhound o'er the level plain 
Pursues the hare, — both speeding, one for prey 
And one for life, — as nearer yet he wins 615 

And nearer, — holds her now for sure, — and close 
With eager muzzle pants ; — she, knowing scarce 
If she be ta'en or not, with hair-breadth turn 
Baffling the gripe, one moment yet the fangs 
Escapes, — so fared it with these twain : — the God 620 

To speed by passion urged, the Maid by fear. 
But still the swifter he, to whom love lends 
His wings. No respite ! On her steps he gains, 
Till, wellnigh in his grasp, upon her locks 
She feels his hot breath play. With failing force 625 

She reels, and, deathly-pale, to farther flight 
Unequal, to paternal Peneus' flood 
Gasps out her prayer. — " Eather, if thy streams 
" Have aught of godlike power, protect me now ! 
" Or yawn, thou Mother-Earth, and hide or change 630 



24 DAPHNE CHANGED TO A LAUREL. [Book I. 

" The form whose fairness works me all this woe ! " 

Scarce uttered was the wish, when all her limbs 

A sudden torpor seizes : — filmy bark 

O'erspreads her bosom's snow ; her locks to leaves, 

Her arms to boughs expand; the foot, but late 635 

So fleet, in earth fast-rooted strikes ; her head 

In foliage waves, — sole beauty left her now. 

Yet even this shape the Godhead loves : — a pulse 

In the new stem seems yet beneath his hand 

To beat. With arms embracing, on the trunk 640 

He prints a kiss, and from his kiss the trunk 

Appears even yet to shrink. " And if," he cries, 

" Thou canst not now my consort be, at least 

" My tree thou shalt be ! Still thy leaves shall crown 

" My locks, my lyre, my quiver. Thine the brows 645 

" Of Latium's lords to wreathe, what time the voice 

" Of Eome salutes the triumph, and the pomp 

" Of long procession scales the Capitol. 

" Before the gates Augustan shalt thou stand 

" Their hallowed guardian, high amid thy boughs 650 

" Bearing the crown to civic merit due : — 

" And, as my front with locks that know no steel 

" Is ever youthful, ever be thine own 

" Thus verdant, with the changing year unchanged ! " 

So Psean : — and the new-born Laurel bowed 655 

Her leafy head, and signified assent. 

XL Lapped in Thessalia's forest-mantled hills 
Lies the fair vale of Tempe : — down the gorge, 
O'ercanopied with groves, old Peneus rolls 
From Pindus' foot his waters to the sea, 660 






Book I.] 10 CHANGED TO A HEIFER. 25 

Wreathing the woods with mist of silvery spray, 

And resonant, through many a league around, 

With many a fall. There, in the caverned rock 

That makes his palace-home, the Eiver-God 

Sits sovereign o'er the stream that bears his name 665 

And all its haunting Nymphs. And thither throng 

The brother-Powers of all the neighbour-floods, 

Doubtful or to congratulate or condole 

The parent's hap : — Spercheiis, poplar-crowned, — 

Enipeus turbulent, Apidanus 670 

Hoary with age, and smooth Amphrysus came, 

And iEas, and the rest, that lead their waves, 

Weary with many wanderings, to the sea. 

One only came not — Inachus ; whom grief 

Held absent, in his cave's recess, with tears 675 

His flood augmenting, mourning for his child, 

His Io, lost, nor knowing if she lives 

Or no, — but in the failure of all search 

Fearing the worst. Her from her father's streams 

Eeturning Jupiter had met, and, fired 680 

With love, — " Maiden, worthy Jove," he cried, 

" Ordained some happy lord to bless, yon grove " 

(The grove he showed) " invites thee to its shade, 

" While yet the noontide sun too fiercely glares. 

"Or, if thou fear'st, alone, the risk to rouse 685 

" Some savage inmate from its lair, a God 

" Shall guide and guard thee through its glades, a God 

" Of no mean rank, nor less than He whose hand 

" The sceptre wields, and hurls the bolts of Heaven ! 

" Nay — fly me not ! " But fast she fled, and far 690 

Past Lerna's pasture, and beyond the fields 



26 10 CHANGED TO A HEIFER. [Book I. 

Of wooded Lirce, — when the God with veil 

Of sudden darkness shrouded all the face 

Of earth, — and checked her flight, — and wrought his will. 

Nor long ere from her height on middle earth 695 

Juno looked down, — much marvelling to behold 

Clouds, as of night, usurp on noon. No fog 

Or mist of marshy stream or reeking fen 

Is there. At once her searching glances seek 

Her lord, ere now too oft unfaithful proved. 700 

She finds him not in Heaven. — " Or I am wrong, 

" Or wronged ! " she cries, and from the skies at once 

Shoots down to earth, and bids the clouds disperse. 

Prescient of her approach, the God transforms 

Into a heifer's shape the maid, still fair 705 

Even in such form. Not Juno's self her grace, 

Unwilling, can deny : — and " whose 1 " and " whence ? " 

And " from what herd 1 " — as ignorant of the truth, — 

She asks. He from the earth asserts her sprung, 

To check more question of her race. She prays 710 

The creature for a boon. Hard strait for Jove ! 

Or cruel, thus to bind his love a thrall, 

Or, this refused, suspected. Shame the one, 

The other Love dissuades ; — and Love had Shame 

O'ermastered : — but the partner of his blood 715 

And throne, denied so slight a gift, might deem 

The heifer other than the heifer seemed. 

Nor yet the granted boon entirely calms 

The Goddess' soul : — still doubts she Jove, nor holds 

His falsehood beyond fear, till to the charge 720 

Of Argus is the hapless Io given, — 

Argus, Aristor's son, around whose head 



Book L] IO CHANGED TO A HEIFER. 2J 

A hundred eyes were set, whereof but two 

Slept at one time, and left the rest on guard. 

Stand how he would, he watched; and Io still 725 

Was visible, behind him or before : 

By day at large, — at nightfall to the stall 

Shackled with halter undeserved, — her food 

The leaves of arbutus, and bitter herbs, — 

Her bed the ground, — not always soft with grass, — 730 

Her drink the stream, — not always clear. With arms 

Suppliant outstretched would she her guardian move, — 

Alas ! no arms she has ! or, would she sue 

In words for pity, — lowings rude are all 

Her language, sounds which terrify herself 735 

With her own voice. By the loved banks she strays 

Of Inachus, her childhood's happy haunt, 

And in the stream strange horns reflected views, 

Back-shuddering at the sight. The Naiads see 

And know her not : — nor Inachus himself 7 40 

Can recognise his child, — though close her sire 

She follows — close her sister-band, — and courts 

Their praise, and joys to feel their fondling hands. 

Some gathered herbs her father proffers — mute, 

She licks and wets with tears his honoured palm, 745 

And longs for words to ask his aid, and tell 

Her name, her sorrows. All she can — her hoof, 

Unskilful, in the sand contrives to trace 

Some letters rude, which hint the wretched tale 

Of this her form transformed. Upon her neck 750 

Falls Inachus, with bitter cry — " Ah ! me 

" Unhappy] me unhappy! so to find 

" My child, so sought ! A lighter grief hadst thou, 



28 MERCURY OUTWITS ARGUS. [Book I. 

" My daughter, been, unfound ! who hast no words 

" To answer mine, but only with big sighs 755 

" And inarticulate lo wings canst reply ! 

" Alas for me ! who thought to deck ere now 

" Duly thy bridal-bower, and hoped to greet 

" Thy spouse, and nurse thy children on my knees ! 

" Ah Heaven ! what spouse must now, what child be thine 

" Unnatural! Why hath Fate denied such grief 761 

" As this by death to cure ? My godhead's self 

" Becomes my curse : and Hades' portals barred 

" To me, but bar me evermore from peace ! " 

But Argus saw, and heard the wail, and far 765 

Away to other pastures hurrying drove 
The daughter from her father torn, — and sate 
At distance, posted on a mountain-top 
Commanding watchful all the region round. 

XII. But now the Sovereign of the Gods no more 770 
Endured her wrongs, and, summoning his son, 
Hermes, the lucent Pleiad's child, with doom 
Of death to Argus charged him. Instant down 
To earth he sped, with ankles winged, and brow 
With cap of swiftness crowned, and in his hand 775 

The wand somniferous : — those he laid aside 
Soon as he lighted down, but with the last 
Drove, shepherd-wise, a flock, — stolen, as he passed, 
Erom some unguarded fold, — with pipings sweet 
Of oaten-reed. And Argus, with the charm 780 

Of that new music caught, cried, " Whosoe'er 
" Thou art, rest here awhile, and on this rock 
" Sit with me. Grass more tender for thy sheep 



Book I.] THE STORY OF SYRINX. 29 

" Thou findest nowhere, or more grateful shade." 
Unpressed Mercurius sate, and with much talk 785 

And pleasant wore the waning day, and strove 
With lulling strain of his compacted reeds 
To win to sleep those watchful eyes. But he 
Withstood the insidious influence, and, though some 
Yield of his eyes, enough to watch resist. 790 

And — for the invention of the pipe was new — 
What chance, he asks, its vocal charm revealed ? 

XIII. To him the God. " Amid Arcadia's lulls 
" A Naiad, famed o'er all Nonacria's bands 
" Of Hamadryads, dwelt — Syrinx her name • — 795 

" Oft sued in vain by Satyrs, and such Gods 
" As haunt those shady groves and fruitful fields. 
" Sworn votary of Ortygian Artemis, 
" In all observance chaste ; and so in form 
" And garb the Goddess matching, that their bows 800 
" Alone — one golden, one of simple horn — 
" Served for distinction 'twixt them, nor even thus 
" Served always sure. Her from Lycseus' steep 
" Descending, Pan, with piny garland crowned, 
" Beheld, and thus addressed." — Here paused the song, 
Unneeding now to add how Syrinx spurned 806 

His suit, and, flying, reached the sandy banks 
Of Ladon's stream, and, as his waves forbade 
Her farther flight, implored the Water-Nymphs, 
Her sisters, to transform her; or how Pan, 8ro 

Thinking to clasp his Syrinx, clasped alone 
A sheaf of marsh-grown reeds ; and while he sighed, 
Thus balked, amid them rose a wind, and waked 



30 10 RETRANSFORMED. [Book I. 

Low murmurs, like a wailing woman's voice. 

And with its sweetness moved, — " At least," he cried, 815 

" This union with thee will I have ! " — and how 

Thenceforth the unequal reeds, with wax conjoined, 

Melodious, bore the maiden's name. — All this 

Mercurius left unsung ; for, lo ! the lids 

O'er all the eyes of Argus drooped, and closed 829 

Their orbs in slumber. With the magic wand 

Waved silent round the languid head, the spell 

He deepens ; and then, swift, with crescent-blade, 

Smites where the head and neck conjoin, and flings 

Adown the bleeding corpse, and floods the crag 825 

With gore. So Argus fell; so waned at once 

The light which filled so many eyes ; one night 

Closed all the hundred. But Saturnia's care 

Later renewed their fires, and bade them shine, 

Gem-like, amid her peacock's radiant plumes. 830 

XIV. But instant on the deed her wrath outblazed, 
Ungoverned, and with maddening fury stung, 
She drave the hated harlot of her lord, 
Distracted with blind terrors, wandering wide 
O'er Earth. Thy banks, old Nile, gave pause at last 835 
To so much sorrow. By thy wave she knelt 
As best she could ; and lifting up to Heaven 
What countenance she had, with groans and tears, 
And lowings pitiful, to Jove preferred 

Her plaint j and, inarticulate, prayed release 840 

From torment. Jove, with fondling arms around 
His Juno flung, implores her grace : " No fear," 
He cries, " henceforth be thine ! no future wrong 



Book L] STORY OF PHAETON. 3 1 

" Dread from this source ! " he said, and hade the Styx 

The solemn oath attest. Saturnia calms 845 

Her wrath ; and Io takes her wonted form, 

Once more as erst she was. The skin grows smooth, 

The horns abate, the eye's wide orb contracts, 

The ample mouth grows less, shoulders and hands 

Return; the hoof, to natural fingers split, 850 

Divides ; nor of the heifer aught remains 

Save whiteness fair of skin. Upon two feet 

Alone, erect the Woman stands; her voice 

Half hesitating yet to prove ; nor sure 

What sound may follow, trembling, tries her tongue. 855 

Her now the white-robed race of S"ile adores — 
A Goddess highest honoured. Epaphus, 
Fruit in due season of the Thunderer's love, 
Like rites enjoys, and by his mother's fane 
His own, associate, rears. Of equal years, 860 

And nature like to him, was Phaeton, 
Apollo's child, whom once, with boastful tongue, 
Vaunting his birth divine, and claiming rank 
Superior, the Inachian checked. " Eight well," 
He cried, " thy mother's lesson hast thou learned, 865 

" Pluming thyself upon such fabled Sire ! " 
Shame, anger flushed his cheeks. To Clymene 
He bears the insult; and, " mother mine ! 
" Be this thy bitterest pang that I, thy son — 
" Too free ere now of hand and hot of blood — 870 

" Was answerless. Ah, shame of shames ! to hear 
" Such taunt, nor instant dare confute the lie ! 
" But thou, if such a Sire indeed be mine, 
" Give me to prove my birth, and justify 



32 STORY OF PHAETON. [Book I. 

" The claim to kin with Gods ! " He said, and clasped 

Her neck, imploring her by all dear heads — 876 

Her own, her lord's, her daughters' — to assure 

His questioned parentage. Moved, whether most 

By such entreaty or by ire at shame 

Imputed to herself, to Heaven she lifts 880 

Her arms, and fronting straight the Sun : " I swear," 

She cries, " by yonder orb of radiant fire, 

" Which sees, and hears me speak, His son thou art 

" Whom there thou seest — the God who guides the World ! 

" If I speak false, may never more his light 885 

" Beam on me, and be this my latest day ! 

" Nor hard the task for thee to seek and reach 

" The palace of thy Sire. Not far beyond 

" Our borders lies the realm which gives him birth. 

" Go, if thou wilt, and ask the God himself ! " 

Glad at his mother's speech, up springs the youth, 

And, proud, in thought assumes the God, and leaves 

Behind his kindred iEthiops and the sons 

Of India, to heaven's fiercest rays exposed ; 

And, eager, seeks the birthplace of his Sire. 



THE 



METAMORPHOSES 



OF 



PUBLIUS OVIDIUS NASO 



BOOK II 



THE METAMORPHOSES, 



BOOK II. 

I. Sublime on lofty columns, bright with gold 
And fiery carbuncle, its roof inlaid 
With ivory, rose the Palace of the Sun, 
Approached by folding gates with silver sheen 
Eadiant ; material priceless, — yet less prized 5 

For its own worth than what the cunning head 
Of Mulciber thereon had wrought, — the globe 
Of Earth, — the Seas that wash it round, — the Skies 
That overhang it. 'Mid the waters played 
Their Gods cserulean. Triton with his horn 10 

Was there, and Proteus of the shifting shape, 
And old JEgeon, curbing with firm hand 
The monsters of the deep. Her Nereids there 
Bound Doris sported, seeming, some to swim, 
Some on the rocks their tresses green to dry, 1 5 

Some dolphin-borne to ride ; nor all in face 
The same, nor different ; — so should sisters be. 
Earth showed her men, and towns, and woods, and beasts, 
And streams, and Nymphs, and rural Deities : 



36 STORY OF PHAETON. [Book II. 

And over all the mimic Heaven was bright 20 

With the twelve Zodiac signs, on either valve 
Of the great portal figured, — six on each. 

And now the child of Clymene the steep 
Ascending, passed the threshold of his Sire, 
Yet unassured, and towards the Godhead bent 25 

His steps, yet far off stood, nor nearer bore 
The dazzling radiance. Clad in flowing robe 
Of purple, on a throne of state, that shone 
Crusted with beryl, Phoebus sate. To right 
And left were ranged the Days, and Months, and Years, 
And Ages, and the Hours, with each its space 3 1 

Allotted equal. Spring, with flowery crown 
Bound his young brows, — and Summer, lightly clad, 
With wreath of odorous spices, — Autumn, stained 
With juice of trodden wine-press, — and the head 35 

Of Winter, white with frost and age, — were there. 
Himself sits midmost : — nor escapes his eye 
All-seeing long the youth, with wondering awe 
Such marvels viewing : — and " What brings thee here, 
" My offspring, — for I recognise thee such, — 40 

" What wouldst thou of me 1 " asks the God. To whom 
The youth — " common light of all the world, 
" Phoebus, my Sire, if by such name I dare 
" Address thee, nor hath Clymene her shame 
" With falsehood sought to veil, — give me, I pray, 45 

" Some pledge whereby henceforth I may be known 
" Thy son indeed, and all this doubt be cleared ! " 
He said — and straight the Godhead laid aside 
The dazzling glories of his brow, and bade 
Approach, and folded in his arms his child, 50 



Book II.] STORY OF PHAETON. 37 

And — " well worthy to be owned my Son," 

He said, " thy Mother's tale was truth. To still 

" All question, ask what boon thou wilt : — ere asked 

" I grant it thee. By Styx, dread oath of Gods, 

" Which never yet these rays iilumed, I swear !" 55 

Scarce uttered was the promise, when the youth 

Demands his father's car, and, for one day, 

The rein and guidance of its winged steeds. 

Then rued the God his oath, and thrice and once 

Shaking his radiant head, " Alas ! thy speech 60 

" Proves mine too rash ! " he cried, — " Would yet my boon 

" I could deny, for thou the one sole thing 

" Hast asked I would not grant thee. my son, 

" Let me dissuade, if not refuse. Thy wish 

" Is fraught with peril ! 'Tis no little thing 65 

" Thou seek'st, my Phaeton ! a trust for heads 

" And years like thine unfitting. Mortal, thou 

" Immortal function dar'st affect, and more 

" Than all Heaven's Gods may venture. Whatsoe'er 

" His confidence, none save myself can guide 70 

" That fiery chariot, task for Jove himself, 

" Whose terrible right hand the thunder wields, 

" Too hard, — and where is greater strength than Jove's ? 

" Steep is the track at starting, even for steeds 

" Fresh with the morn no easy climb : — then lies 75 

" High across central Heaven, whence I, — even I, — 

" On Earth and Sea not without fear look down : 

" Then sheer again descends, — sure hand and strong 

" Demanding, where old Tethys' self, whose waves 

" Beneath receive me, dreads some day to see . 80 

" My headlong fall. Add, that the heavens, around 



$8 STORY OF PHAETON. [Book II. 

" In ceaseless revolution borne, attract 

" And with them drag in dizzy whirl the stars. 

" Adverse to these my course. All else they sweep 

" "With them, — save me. Against the rapid rush 85 

" Of the World I hold my way. But thou — suppose 

" The chariot thine — couldst thou unswerving keep 

" The path 'twixt either Pole, or stem undazed 

" The whirl of Heaven 1 ? Dost dream that journey winds 

" By groves, and towns, and fanes of Gods with gifts 90 

" Eesplendent 1 Through what perils, 'mid what forms 

" Of monsters lies it ! Shouldst thou keep the track 

" Perchance, nor deviate aught, still must thou tempt 

" The horns of hostile Taurus, and the shafts 

" Of that Thessalian archer, Leo's jaws 95 

" Terrific, Scorpio's cruel arms around 

" Groping for prey, and Cancer's claw which grasps 

" With backward clutch its spoil! — Nor light the task 

" That team to curb, impetuous, breathing flame 

" From mouth and nostril ! Scarce, when warmed, they bear 

" My hand, and toss with scornful neck the rein ! 10 1 

" Bethink thee, my son, nor let thy sire 

" With fatal gift undo thee ! While thou mayst 

" Amend thy suit. Thou wouldst by certain proof 

" Assure thy parentage. My grief supplies 105 

" The pledge ; — my father's fears the father prove. 

" Look on me ! Would thy glance my inmost heart 

" Could penetrate, and read the sire within I 

" Oh! ransack all the treasures of the world, 

" Earth, sea, and sky, — choose what thou wilt of all no 

" Their gifts, nor dread denial ! This alone 

" Forbear to seek, — false honour — certain bane ! 



Book II.] STORY OF PHAETON. 39 

" The "boon thou seekest is thy doom, my son ! 

" Xay, clasp not thus my neck — ah ! rash and blind ! 

" Whate'er thy wish, doubt not, 'tis thine, for Styx 115 

" Hath heard my oath, — but oh, more wisely ask ! " 

He ended, but the youth his warning scorned, 
And urged his boon, and burned to guide the car, 
Whereto at length the sire, with what delay 
He could, unwilling led him. Vulcan wrought 120 

The chariot : — gold its axle was, its pole 
Golden, its wheels gold-tired, with silver spokes : 
And from its seat unnumbered chrysolites 
Flashed back reflected light. The daring boy 
Admiring scans the marvel. And now wide 125 

Aurora, blushing-born, her purple gate, 
Wakeful, had flung, and all her roseate halls 
Disclosed ; and Lucifer the gathered stars 
Drove homeward, last himself to leave the skies. 
And Phoebus, as he saw the rosy flush 130 

Suffuse the world, and Luna's horns in light 
Superior vanish, bade the rapid Hours 
Yoke to the car the steeds. The Hours obey 
Instant, and from their stalls the coursers lead, 
With juice ambrosial nourished, and attach 135 

The harness resonant. With drugs of power 
The Sire anoints his offspring's brows, to bear 
Unharmed the flames, and round his tresses binds 
The radiant crown, and, with deep sighs, too well 
Prescient of coming sorrow, speaks. " son ! — 140 

" If thus much of thy father's warning thou 
" Canst follow, — spare the lash, and tightly hold 
" The rein. My steeds spontaneous fly: thy task 



40 STORY OF PHAETON. [Book II. 

" Will be to check them. Nor directly urge 

" Through the five Zones thy way. A path oblique 145 

" Winds curving through the central three. Content 

" With these, and shunning either Pole, the track 

" Observe, where erst my wheels have marked the road, 

" Dispensing equal warmth to Earth and Heaven. 

" Nor be thy course too low depressed, nor urged 150 

" Too high aloft, lest Heaven or Earth in flames 

"Be wrapped, but safe the midway course pursue. 

" Nor towards the Serpent on thy right, nor near 

" The Altar on thy left, thy wheel incline : 

" At equal distance pass them. What remains 155 

" I trust to Fortune : — may she aid, and more 

" Consult thy weal than thou dost ! While I speak 

" The night hath touched the borders of the west, 

" And darkness flies Aurora's face ; nor more 

" May I delay; — the World demands me! Grasp 160 

" The reins, or — if thy breast may still be moved — 

" My counsel take, and not my car, while yet 

" Thou mayst, and from this steadfast seat, — more safe 

" Than that thy ignorance covets, — see thy Sire 

" Fulfil his proper task, and light the World!" 165 

But the hot boy already in the car 

Sate mounted, joyous in his grasp to feel 

The trusted reins, and to his Sire profuse 

Poured his unwelcome thanks. The steeds, meanwhile — 

Eous, Pyroeis, iEthon, and the fourth 170 

Phlegon, — with fiery neighings fill the air, 

And plunge, impatient of restraint. And now 

Tethys, unprescient of her grandson's doom, 

Unbars her gates, and gives them way : — the World 



Book II.] 



STORY OF PHAETON. 



41 



Immense is theirs to traverse ! Forth, they clash 175 

And cleave the opposing clouds, and with fleet wings 

Outstrip the blast of Eurus, like themselves 

Eastern of "birth. Nor failed their sense at once 

The lighter load to feel, and car which lacked 

Its wonted weight. And, as some bark which starts 180 

Too sparely ballasted, across the deep 

Unsteady drives, the chariot now, unpressed 

By its due burden, reels and rocks, and seems 

As empty to those coursers, quick to snatch 

Their liberty. Wild dashing on, they quit 185 

The beaten track, and all control disown. 

Cold tremors seize the youth : — no more he knows 

Which rein to try, or where his road, though vain 

'Twere now, when all command is lost, to know. 

Now first those heavenly Oxen burned with heat 190 

Unfelt before, and vainly longed to plunge 

Beneath the wave denied them ; — and the Snake 

Nighest the icy Pole, till now with cold 

Inert, and terrible to none, conceived 

Strange fury from the rays. Even thou, they say, 195 

Alarmed didst fly, Bootes, slow albeit 

Of movement by thy tardy wain delayed. 

But when the hapless Phaeton looked down 

Prom Heaven to Earth, so wide, so far below, 

Together knocked his knees, and blanched his cheeks, 200 

And darkness, born of too much light, his eyes 

Confounded.' Would his hand had ne'er essayed 

Those steeds to rule ! Ah, would he ne'er had won 

With fatal prayer this proof of heavenly birth, 

Content with Merops for a sire ! As drives 205 



42 STpRY OF PHAETON. [Book II. 

Some bark, when Boreas rages, and the helm 

The o'ermastered pilot quits, nor hope has more, 

Save in his prayers and Gods — so headlong now 

The youth is borne. Behind him spreads the tract 

Of heaven already passed — before him lies 210 

A wider yet ! Both measuring, now with look 

Strained to that west he ne'er is doomed to reach — 

Now eastward — paralysed in blank despair 

He stands — the loose reins idle in the hands 

Which neither drop nor manage them — nor knows 215 

By name to call and pacify his steeds. 

A place there is in heaven where Scorpio curves 
In double bow his arms, and, with spread tail 
And claws on either side outstretched, usurps 
Space ample for two Signs. When him the Boy 220 

Beheld, black venom sweltering, and with sting 
Exasperate threatening wounds and death, — all heart 
Failed him, and icy terror numbed his hands, 
And from them shook the reins; no sooner felt 
Loose floating on those coursers' backs, than wild 225 

They swerve, and masterless through unknown realms 
Of air, as impulse urges, bound, and dash 
Against fixed orbs of stars, and whirl the car 
Through space by track unmarked, and now aloft 
They soar, now downward headlong plunge, too close 230 
To Earth. Her brother's steeds beneath her own 
Much marvelling Luna sees. The scorching clouds 
Begin to smoke. Each loftier prominence 
Of Earth takes fire, and flames, and splits, and gapes 
In fissures, parched and moistureless. The meads 235 

Turn ashy white, nor leaf nor trunk of tree 



Book II.] STORY OF PHAETON. 43 

Escapes, and drying harvests court the blaze. 

Light mischief this, when cities whole with all 

Their walls in ruin tumble, and some heap 

Of ashes only tells that underneath 240 

A nation lies consumed ! Each mount with all 

Its forests flames ! Elames Athos' height, and thine 

Cilician Taurus : Tmolus, (Eta, burn, 

And Ida, erst for many fountains famed, 

Dry now, — and virgin-haunted Helicon, — 245 

And Hsemus, by that name of after-time, 

iEagrius, yet unknown. With doubled blaze 

Flames iEtna, — and Parnassus' cloven crest, — 

Eryx, and Cynthus, Othrys, Ehodope 

JSTow first of snow dismantled, Dindyma, 250 

Mimas, and Mycale, and thou, for rite 

Of Bacchus famed, Cithseron. Little now 

May Scythia's snows avail her ! Caucasus 

Flares with the rest : — Ossa and Pindus burn, 

And, huger yet, Olympus, and the Alps 255 

Heaven-towering, and the cloud-capped Apennine ! 

And now, where'er he turns his glance, the Youth 

Sees but a world on fire ; nor heat so great 

Sustains, and, panting, draws each breath of air 

Scorching as furnace-blast, and feels the car 260 

Beneath him glow, — with ashes and thick shower 

Of fiery fragments choked, and blind with cloud 

Of stifling smoke : — nor where he was, or is, 

Or goes, can longer tell, but at the will 

Of those mad steeds whirls giddy through the skies ! 265 

'Twas then, they say, the iEthiop — all his blood 
Drawn outward to the surface — first assumed 



44 STORY OF PHAETON. [Book II. 

That darker hue he wears : — then Libya first, 

Of all her moisture drained, an arid waste 

Became. Then with dishevelled locks the Nymphs 270 

For their lost founts went wailing. Sudden ceased 

Boeotian Dirce : — Amymome failed 

Her Argives : — and in Ephyre thy wave, 

Pirene, gushed no more. Nor rivers, proud 

Of widest bank and broadest flood, escaped 275 

The ruin. Tanais in mid-channel smoked, 

And aged Peneus, and thy Mysian stream, 

Caicus, and Ismenus swift, and thine, 

Arcadian Erymanthus, — Xanthus, doomed 

Later again to burn, — thy yellow wave, 280 

Lycormas, and Maeander, pleased to stray 

In sportive windings numberless. Burned too 

Mygdonian Melas, and Eurotas born 

Of Spartan Tasnarus, — Euphrates far 

By Babylon, Orontes, and the flood 285 

Thermodon downward hurries : — Ganges warmed, 

And Phasis, and Danubius. All thy waves 

Alpheiis, boiled and bubbled, and thy banks, 

Spercheius, glowed. Tagus his golden freight 

Boiled melted to the sea. The swans which haunt 290 

Cayster's banks, and all Mseonian founts 

Make famous with their music, in mid-stream 

Sickened with heat. To the world's utmost end 

Fled Nilus, burying deep in earth his head, 

Ne'er since to light restored : — his mouths remain, — 295 

Bivers no more, — mere valleys, dry with dust. 

Nor other lot befell that Thracian pair, 

Hebrus and Strymon : — nor the western floods 



Book II.] STORY OF PHAETON. 45 

Of Padus, Bhenus, Rhodanus, nor thine, 

Old Tiber, by the Fates in after years 300 

Ordained to bear the Masters of the World. 

Earth's surface yawns throughout, and piercing light 

Illumes all Tartarus, and shakes with fear 

Hell's Monarch and his Consort. Ocean shrinks, 

And leaves a waste of sand what late was sea ; 305 

And rocks jut out, late covered by the waves, 

Like islands to the scattered Cyclades 

New added. Fishes to the bottom dive, 

Nor dare the dolphins more through air to try 

Brief flight, and seals uncouth expiring float 310 

Supine upon the deep. In lowest cave 

Old Nereus, and his Doris, and their train 

Of daughters, trembling hide. Thrice Neptune rears 

His angry brow above the wave, and thrice 

Withdraws, by heat o'ermastered. At the last 315 

Old Tellus, ocean-girdled, — all her founts 

Or dried or in her bosom shrunk, — upraised 

Her parching brow, and, shading from her eyes 

With outspread hand the glare, and by her fears 

Shaken to lesser bulk and lower place 320 

Than erst she held, with gasping accents spake. 

" thou, of Gods the Sovereign ! if thy will 

" Be thus, and I this fate have merited, 

" Why linger yet thy lightnings 1 If by fire 

" I perish, let it be by Thine ! my doom 325 

" Will come the easier from Thy hand. The prayer 

" Thou seest how scarce my parching lips have strength 

" To urge. My brows are scorched ! my eyes are seared 

" And blind with ashes ! Oh ! is this the. meed 



46 STORY OF PHAETON. [Book II. 

" Of all my faithful duty ? But for this 330 

" Have I endured, the long year through, the tooth 

" Of plough and gnawing harrow 1 hut for this 

" Borne for the herd its pasture, for the race 

" Of men my harvests, for the Gods themselves 

" Their incense 1 Say my doom is just ; — but what, 335 

" What hath my Brother done ? Why thus from Heaven 

" More distant shrink the Waters to his rule 

" Assigned 1 — But, if nor He nor I have power 

" To move thee, let thy proper Heaven awake 

" Thy pity ! Look around thee ! Either Pole 340 

" Already smokes : — let these hut burst in flame, 

" And all thy palace topples ! Atlas' self, 

" Half stifled, scarce the glowing globe sustains ! • 

" If Sea, and Land, and Sky, must perish thus, 

" Chaos again confounds us ! Eescue yet 345 

" What rests, and in thy mercy help the World ! " 

She ceased, nor longer bore the heat, nor more 
Could utter, and within herself withdrew 
Low in her deepest cavern, neighbouring close 
On Hades. Then the Sire Omnipotent 350 

Calling all Gods to witness, — and, most, him 
Who lent that fatal car, — how ruin threats 
The world unless he aid it, to the top 
And citadel of Heaven betakes him, whence 
He darkens Earth with storm-cloud, and bids roar 355 

The thunder, and the brandished lightning flings : 
Though now — so Eate would have it — was at hand 
Nor cloud, nor shower, to darken or to drown. 
But loud he thunders, and, with right hand high 
Uplifted, on the hapless charioteer 360 



Book II.] STORY OF PHAETON. 47 

Lets fly the bolt of fire, and hurls him down 

Headlong at once from car and life, and quells 

The fires with fire more potent. Terror strikes 

The steeds, and backward bounding from their necks 

The yoke they dash, and spurn the broken reins ; — 365 

And here the curb, and here the axle lies, 

And separate here the pole, and here the spokes 

Of shattered wheels, and here what fragments else 

Strewed piecemeal of the car. Down, headlong down 

Falls -Phaeton, his streaming locks ablaze 370 

With flame, and shoots through air, as seems athwart 

The cloudless sky some midnight star to fall 

Yet leaves no vacant space. Eridanus, 

Far from the land that gave him birth, receives 

His corse, and from his face the death-sweat laves. 375 

II. The Hesperian ISTaiads gave his blackened form 
A tomb, and on the stone these lines engraved. 
" This is the grave of Phaeton, who strove 
" To guide his Father's car; and, if he strove 
" In vain, at least in no mean venture failed." 380 

O'erwhelmed with grief that Father veiled, they say, 
His head, and left the World — believe who will — 
For one whole day without a Sun. The flames 
Awful supplied his place : — so came of ill 
Some good at least. But Clymene, when grief 385 

With all wild words to such a sorrow due 
Had spent its earliest force, forlorn and crazed 
Of soul, with careless vest and torn, all Earth 
Exploring traversed, in the hope to find 
His limbs, or, when that hope grew vain, his bones. 390 



48 THE HELIADES CHANGED TO TREES. [Book II. 

To these, in that far land entombed, at last 

She comes, and o'er them broods, and with her tears 

Wets, as she reads, the name beloved, and warms 

The marble to her bosom pressed. Nor less 

His Heliad sisters mourned; — with sobs and tears, — 395 

Vain gifts which Death not heeds, — and hands that 

beat 
Their breasts, and linked aronnd the tomb, by day, 
By night, they call the Brother, whose dull ear 
No plaint of theirs may reach. Four times the Moon 
Her horns fresh filling heard them, — for the wail 400 

From use was custom now : — when, as she bent 
To kneel, Phaethusa, eldest born, her feet 
Felt stiffen, and Lampetie, at her cry 
Starting, took sudden root, and strove in vain 
For motion to her aid. The third, her hair 405 

In anguish tearing, tore off leaves ! And now 
Their legs grow fixed as trunks, their arms as boughs 
Extend, and upward round them creeps a bark 
That gradual folds the form entire, save yet 
The head and mouth that to their mother shrieks 410 

For help. What help is hers to give 1 Now here, 
Now there she rushes, frantic, kissing this 
Or that while yet she can, and strives to rend 
Their bodies from the clasping bark, and tears 
The fresh leaves from their sprouting heads, and sees, 415 
Aghast, red drops as from some wound distil. 
And " Ah, forbear! " the sufferer shrieks — " Forbear, 
" mother dear ! Our bodies in these trees 
" Alone are rent ! Farewell ! " And o'er the words 
Scarce-uttered closed the bark, — and all was still. 420 



Book II.] GRIEF OF APOLLO FOR PHAETON. 49 

III. But yet they weep : — and, in the Sun, their tears 
To aruber harden, by the clear stream caught 
And borne, the gaud and grace of Latian maids. 

IY. It chanced partaker of that marvel stood 
Cycnus, the son of Sthenelus, who swayed 425 

Liguria's peopled towns, — to Phaeton 
By blood maternal linked, but closer yet 
By kindred soul : — and, for his loss, had left 
His realm; — and all thy grassy banks and groves, 
Eridanus, by those new sister-trees 430 

Augmented now, made echo with his plaints. 
Sudden his voice pipes shriller, and his head 
For hair with feathery down is clad : — his neck 
Starts lengthened from his breast : — a pinky film 
Joins membranous his fingers : — from his sides 435 

Spread pinions ; — from his face a blunted beak 
Protrudes. A bird is Cycnus now, — nor dares, 
Mindful of that late levin-bolt unjust, 
To trust himself to Heaven and Jove, but dwells 
In pools and spreading lakes, and, hating fire, 440 

Elects the streams, that hate it too, to haunt. 

Meanwhile the Sire of Phaeton apart 
Sate, haggard, of all radiance disarrayed, 
As when, eclipsed, the Earth he fails • and hates 
Himself, and day, and light, and, all his soul 445 

To grief and anger yielding, to the World 
Denies his function. " Long enough," he cries, 
" From earliest time my lot hath been to know 
" Xo rest, and of my labours see no end, 
" Xo honours reap ! — some other hand henceforth 450 

D 



50 • STORY OF CALLISTO. [Book II. 

" My car of light may guide : — or, if none such 

" Ee found, and every God confess the task 

" Too high, let Him Himself essay, and so, — 

" At least, while yet my reins his hands employ, — 

" Lay by the bolts that rob us of our sons, — 455 

" And try the might of those tire-footed steeds, — 

" And say if Death be fitting meed for all 

" Who fail to rule them ! " — So he spake : — but all 

The Gods around him thronged, and, with one voice, 

Implored him not to plunge in night the world. 460 

Nor Jove himself disdains to justify 

His act, and joins the prayer ; — but in such tone 

As makes refusal dangerous : — so Kings pray. 

And Phoebus now his scattered team, yet wild 

With terror, gathers, and with goad and lash 465 

Unsparing quells, — unsparing, for each stroke 

Wreaks on their guilty backs his offspring's fate. 

Y. And next the Sire Almighty round the walls 
Of Heaven his circuit makes, — if chance some part 
May totter, weakened by those flames. All sound 470 
And strong he finds. Earth views he next, and all 
The labours of Mankind. And first his care 
His own Arcadia visits. All her founts 
He fills, and bids her streams unfearing flow ; 
Gives back to Earth her grass — to trees their leaves — 475 
And clothes the injured woods once more with green. 
But him, thus busied, a Nonacrian Maid 
Encounters, and his bosom fires. Unused 
To blend the soft wool's mingling hues, or braid 
With various charm her locks ; — a buckle clasped 480 



Book II.] STORY OF CALLISTO. 5 1 

Her vest, her hair a snowy fillet bound, 

Loose-floating else : — and now, with javelin armed 

Smooth-polished, now with bow, in Dian's wars 

She served, a soldier sworn : — on Msenalus 

Xo ^yniph more favoured shared the Goddess' sport. 485 

Favour too soon to fail ! — alas ! what good 

May long endure 1 — The noon but now had passed, 

And a cool grove, yet by no axe profaned, 

Invited. From her shoulder she unbound 

Its weight of arrows, and unbent her bow, 490 

And flung upon the grass her limbs, and lay 

Pillowed upon her quiver, with the chase 

Weary, and faint. " This chance at least," quoth Jove, 

" Juno need never know ! — or, should she spy, 

" Why, let her rail ! the bliss is worth the price ! " 495 

In semblance of Diana's self he comes, 

And " "Where, dearest of my train," he cries, 

" Hath lain thy sport to-day 1 " Prompt to her feet 

The Maiden springs — " All hail ! Goddess dear, 

" Greater to me than Jove, though Jove himself 500 

" The avowal hear ! " — And Jove did hear, and smiled 

Thus to himself himself preferred to hear. 

And with quick kisses, closer, warmer far 

Than virgin-lips should print, to what he asks 

All further answer hinders, and declares 505 

Himself in guilty triumph. Woman's strength, 

Such as she has, in vain resists, — (hadst thou 

That struggle seen, Saturnia, sure thy wrath 

Less fierce had burned !) — in vain contends : — who strives, 

Or maid or man, successfully with Jove 1 510 

Aloft he soars victorious. She the wood 



52 STORY OF CALLISTO. [Book II. 

Detests, and every tree that saw her shame, 

And from it hurrying flies, and wellnigh leaves 

Forgotten there her bow and quivered darts. 

Her, with her maids Dictynna, round the sides 515 

Of Msenalus in all the pride of chase 

Sweeping, espies and calls. The call at first 

She flies, — Jove yet beneath that form may lurk, — 

But by the following Nymphs assured, resumes 

Her place amid the band. Eut ah ! how hard 520 

To school the burdened heart, nor let the cheek 

Betray its guilty secret ! From the ground 

Scarcely she dares her glance to raise, nor leads 

As erst the chase, and by the Goddess' side 

Outstrips her fellows. Silence now, and cheeks 525 

Suffused half tell her shame : — a thousand hints 

To all, save spotless maid like Dian, speak : 

Her very Nymphs suspect. Nine moons had waxed 

And waned, when now the Heavenly Huntress, faint 

And languid with her Brother's rays, a grove 530 

Had reached, where bright o'er golden sands a brook 

Flowed murmuring down. The spot she praised, and dipped 

In the fresh wave her foot, and praised that too, 

And " None is here," she cried, " to see : — unrobe 

" We all, and cool us in the stream ! " The nymphs 535 

Heard gladly and obeyed. One only shrinks 

And blushing falters forth excuse. The rest 

Surrounding press, and strip her shrinking form, 

And with her falling vest her fault betray. 

Vainly her hands attempt the evidence 540 

Of guilt to hide. " Depart ! " the Goddess cries, 

" Nor taint these sacred founts, nor dare again 



Book II.] STORY OF CALLISTO. 53 

" This Sisterhood approach ! " Long since the truth 

The Thunderer's keen-eyed spouse had learned, and long 

Fit hour of vengeance watched : — she waits no more : 545 

For Areas now, of that ill love the fruit, 

Was born, to crown her wrong. The sight inflames 

Her very soul. " There lacked but this ! " she cries, 

" This bastard, harlot-born, to publish all 

" My shame and Jove's ! Yet think not thus to 'scape 550 

" And vaunt, unchanged, the form which too much pleased 

" Thyself and that false lord of mine ! " — she spoke, 

And seized her by the locks that shade her brows, 

And bowed her head to Earth. Her arms she strove 

Suppliant to raise, — black shaggy hair her arms 555 

O'erspreadj her hands, with growth of crooked nails, 

The function took of feet : the lips, which Jove 

But late had praised, widened with hateful chasm 

Of horrid jaws : — and, lest her prayers should claim 

His aid, all human speech the Goddess barred, 560 

And, in its stead, a fierce and threatening growl 

Bore terror in its sound. The mind alone 

Bemains unchanged : — even in the Bear that still 

Is human. With perpetual moans her grief 

She vents, and raises all the hands she can 565 

To Heaven, and with dumb gesture bids Jove see 

The wrong she cannot speak. The forest, now 

Her proper dwelling, frights her. Bound the walls 

Of her old home, and through the fields once hers, 

She wanders, ah ! how often by the bay 570 

Of eager hounds back to her rocks pursued ! 

Poor huntress, by the hunters terrified ! 

J^or dares, forgetful how her altered form 



54 STORY OF CALLTSTO. [Book II. 

Secures her, 'mid the woods her sister-bears 

To meet, and trembles at each wolf she sees, 575 

Though in that shape her own lost father roamed. 

VI. So thrice five years wore on, when Areas, now 
A youth, amid the Erymanthian woods 
Pursued the chase, and spread his toils, and fell 
Unwitting on his parent's track. The beast 580 

Beheld, nor fled, but seemed to recognise 
Her hunter. Wondering, half alarmed, he marked 
The strange fixed earnest eyes the unfearing brute 
Fixed on him, anxious to approach : — and now 
He poised his javelin for the fatal blow, 585 

When Jove forbade the crime, and snatched them both, 
Mother and child, aloft through air, and placed 
In Heaven, and bade them neighbouring shine as Stars. 
Swelled higher then Saturnia's wrath, to see 
Her rival with such honour graced ; and down 590 

Her way she takes, where hoary Tethys dwells 
Beneath the waves, with old Oceanus, — 
Powers reverenced by ail Gods, — and straight unfolds 
Her journey's cause. " Ask ye why I, Heaven's Queen, 
" Am here 1 Another holds my place above ! 595 

" Think not I dream ! Yourseh^es shall see, when Night 
" In darkness wraps the world, two new-made stars 
" Blaze bright aloft — my torment ! where the last 
" And smallest circle girds the globe. Who now 
" Shall shrink to do me wrong, or dread that wrath 600 
" Which profits whom it smites 1 Proud triumph this ! 
" Fair trophy for a power like mine to win ! 
" I turned a woman to a brute — the brute 



Book II.] STORY OF CORONIS. 55 

" A Goddess shines ! Such penalty my doom 

" Imposes on the guilty! such my power ! 605 

" Back let him give her ancient form, and strip 

" The beast away, as erst he did from her 

" His Argive Io ! Nay, — why not at once 

" Divorce me from his bed, and place therein 

" The strumpet in my room, and boldly boast 610 

" Himself Lycaon's son-in-law? — But ye, 

" Who reared me, if your nursling's wrongs have power 

" To move your breasts, avenge me, nor receive 

" Those seven detested orbs beneath your waves ! 

" If guerdoned thus adulterous guilt must shine 615 

" In Heaven, oh ! here at least the shame reject, 

" Nor in your pure depths lave the harlot's head ! " 

VII. The Ocean-Gods assented. Back to Heaven 
The Goddess speeds, in her light chariot, drawn 

By painted peacocks, — painted late, what time 620 

Argus was slain ; — what time the Baven too, 

Loquacious, changed his hue, from snowy plumes 

To sable : — he, whose silver wings of yore 

Bivalled the whitest stainless dove that flies, 

Nor yielded to those watchful birds foredoomed 625 

To save the Capitol, or swans which haunt 

The river's bank. His tongue undid him : — this 

It was which made him black who once was white. 

VIII. Coronis of Larissa was the flower 

Of all Hamionia's maids, — to Phoebus dear 630 

While constant, or not yet inconstant proved :— - 
But Phoebus' bird her falsehood saw, and bent 



56 STORY OF CORONIS. [Book II. 

Her fault inexorable to disclose 

His master sought. His night the Crow pursued, 

Swift, garrulous, inquisitive to learn 635 

His cause of haste ; which told, — " Be warned ! " she cries, 

" Spurn not my counsel ! Little good for thee 

" This service earns. See what I am, and hear 

" What once I was. What made me thus 1 My truth 

" Too faithful was my bane. Long since it was 640 

" That Ericthonius, child who never knew 

" A mother's womb, was born. Him Pallas gave 

" Shut in a coffer framed of Attic reeds 

" In charge to Cecrops' daughters, — virgins three, — 

" And bade them safely keep the ark, nor dare 645 

" To look on what it held. I saw, and heard, 

" And watched them, in an elm-tree's boughs concealed. 

" Two, — Pandrosos and Herse, duly kept 

" The Goddess' hest : — but one, Aglauros, mocked 

" Her weaker sisters, and untwined the cords 650 

" That bound the chest, and looked within, and saw 

" The child, and shuddered at his dragon-feet. 

" I told the Goddess of the deed : — and this 

" My guerdon was, to forfeit evermore 

" Her favour, and below the fowl of JSlght 655 

" Thenceforth to rank. Let other birds by me 

" Be warned, nor, too communicative, earn 

" Like doom to mine ! ' Ah ! but I forced,' thou say'st — 

" ' Myself upon the Goddess — pressed unasked 

" l My service on her.' — To herself then go 660 

" And ask her ! Pallas hates me now, but still 

" Pallas is just, nor will the truth deny. 

" My place of birth was Phocis — who not knows 



Book II.] STORY OF CORONIS. 57 

" The tale 1 — My Sire Coroneus. Koyal race 

" Was mine — nay, mock not ! — Wealthy suitors sought 

" My hand. My beauty was my bane. It chanced 666 

" As on the shore I wandered with slow steps 

" Habitual pacing, Ocean's Lord beheld 

" And loved me. Weary with unheeded prayers 

" To urge his idle suit, with force he tried 670 

" To win me, and pursued. The solid shore 

" I left, and fast along the yielding sands 

" Fled vainly, calling on all Gods and men 

" For aid : — but never mortal heard. A Maid 

" Answered a Maid's appeal, and brought me help. 675 

" My arms were raised to Heaven, — sudden my arms 

" With plums of ebon hue grew dark. I strove 

" My shoulders from my vest to free, — my vest 

" Was feathers now, fast-rooted. With my hands 

" My bosom bare I tried to beat, — nor hands 680 

" ]S"or bosom bare now had I : — nor the sands 

" More clogged me as I ran : — from off the ground 

" I rose, and lightly skimmed through air, and soared 

" Minerva's stainless comrade. Ah ! what now 

" Does that lost boast avail me, when, for crime 685 

" Most horrible to birdlike shape transformed, 

" Isyctimene my place and honour holds ! 

IX. " Thou know'st the tale, with which all Lesbos rings, 
" How the Sire's bed a daughter's lust profaned : — 
" She also flies, a bird : — but conscious guilt 690 

" Weighs on her ; and the sight of day and light 
" She shuns, and in the darkness hides her shame, 
" Outcast of all the birds that cleave the air ! " 



58 STORY OF CORONIS. [Book II. 

The Eaven heard impatient. " Hence ! " he cried, 
" Accursed, with thy warning croak ! I mock 695 

" Such omens ! " On he sped, and told his lord 
How with a youth of Thessaly his Love 
Betrayed him. From his brows the laurel crown 
Dropped, — from his hands the lyre, — and from his cheeks 
Their colour. In the transport of his wrath 700 

He grasps his wonted arms, and to the head 
The arrow draws, and with unerring aim 
The bosom to his own so often pressed 
Transpierces. With a shriek she fell, and drew 
The weapon from the wound : — the purple flood 705 

O'er her white limbs gushed following. " This," she said, 
" I owed thee, Phoebus, — but another life 
" I owed thee too ; — I would it had been paid 
" Ere this : — now, two in one together die ! " 
Life with that moan ebbed from her, — and the chill 710 
Of Death close followed on the parting soul. 
Too late his cruel doom her lover rues, 
And hates himself, and hates the wrath that burned 
Too fiercely, and the bird that made him know 
Her fault and his dishonour, — cursing deep 715 

The bow and hand that urged that fatal shaft, 
And clasps her senseless form, and vainly strives 
To conquer Fate, and all his healing arts 
With fruitless effort plies. But when the pyre 
Was raised, ere yet the last sad flames enwrapped 720 

The corse, in sighs, and sobs, and all save tears, — 
To Godlike eyes denied, — his sorrows burst. 
So moans the heifer for her suckling calf, 
What time she stands, and sees the fatal axe 



Book II.] PROPHECY OF OCYRRHOE. 59 

Uplifted fall with crashing blow, and cleave 725 

Through skull and brain. Upon her breast he strews 

Due perfumes — hateful sweetness ! and imprints 

His latest kiss, and every rite, alas ! 

Too early claimed, fulfils : — nor bears to see 

The fruit she owed him with her in those flames 730 

Consumed, but from her womb and fate the boy 

Delivering, to the cave of Chiron bears, — 

Chiron, of human half, half-bestial form. 

But for the Eaven whose too truthful tongue 

Hoped other meed, he bade him fly thenceforth 735 

Banished from all assembly of white birds. 

X. Gladly the Centaur took his Cod-born charge, 
Pleased with a service by such honour paid. 
Him, as it fell, his daughter visited, 

Ocyrrhoe of the auburn locks, — so called 740 

Of Chariclo from that swift-flowing stream 
Whose banks beheld her birth : — nor skilled alone 
In all ancestral arts, but wise to know 
The secrets of the Fates. The child she saw, — 
And in her bosom burned the God, and stirred 745 

Her soul with prophet-impulse. " Grow ! " she cried, 
" Auspicious babe ! to help and heal mankind ! 
" How oft to thee shall mortal bodies owe 
" Their being ! nay, how oft the parted soul, 
" By thy so potent spell recalled, return I 750 

" Power grudged thee by the jealous gods, and once 
" Too oft exerted. By thy Grandsire's bolt 
" I see it from thee reft. Thy Godhead falls 
" A bloodless corse — thy bloodless corse once more 



60 OCYRRHOE TURNED TO A MARE. [Book II. 

" A Godhead rises ! Thrice the doom of Fate 755 

" "lis thine to 'scape and live anew ! — But thou, 
" My Sire, — not mortal, but by law of birth 
" Destined to all the ages, — ah ! what prayers 
" For death I hear thee utter, when the pangs 
" Of that Lernsean Hydra's venom rack 760 

" Thy tortured limbs ! Nor shall the pitying Gods 
" Eefuse, but make thee capable of Death, 
" And bid those three stern Sisters snap thy thread." 
She paused, and somewhat left untold. The sobs 
Burst from her breast, and from her eyes the tears. 765 

" The Fates," she cries, " prevent me, nor allow 
" To end the tale — and choke my voice ! Alas ! 
" Woe worth the arts which only serve to wake 
" The wrath of Heaven ! Ah ! happier, had I ne'er 
" The Future known to read ! My human face 770 

" Seems changing ! In the grass I long to seek 
" My food, and burn to gallop o'er the fields, 
" A mare ! — such form befits my Father's child 
" Too well ! — but why a mare complete, nor, like 
" That Father, keep some share of human form 1 ?" 775 

Confused, and strange, and scarce to those who heard 
Intelligible, seemed her later words, 
If words they could be called, — degenerate now 
To sounds not equine quite, but as of one 
"Who strove to imitate the brute, and shrill 780 

Ere long in perfect neigh. And now she stoops 
Her shoulders to the pasture, — and her hands 
A solid hoof of horn surrounds, and blends 
And binds her fingers, and her mouth and neck 
New size and length assume. Her garment's train 785 



Book II.] STORY OF BATTUS. 6 1 

Floats in a tail. The locks that on her neck 
Played free, play still, a mane. Transformed she stands 
Complete in shape and voice, and from snch change 
[New named, Ocyrrhoe erst, Evippe now. 

XL In vain the Father wept, and on thy name, 790 
Great Lord of Delphos, called for aid. Not thine 
The power to cross Jove's will, nor, if the power, 
The present means, — what time, in shepherd's guise, 
O'er Elis and Messenia's pleasant plains 
Thou wander' dst, in this hand a crook, in that 795 

The ordered pipe of seven unequal reeds, 
That with its music pleased the rustic loves 
That held thee then, — the while thy herds unwatched 
Strayed o'er the Pylian fields. The tricksome son 
Of Maia saw, and artful lured, and hid 800 

The wanderers in a forest, marked of none 
Save one old hind, in all that country known, 
Called Battus, to whose charge rich Xeleus gave 
The meads and woodland pastures where his mares, 
World-famous, grazed. Him Hermes feared, and led 805 
Aside, and all his winning art put forth ; — 
" Good friend, whate'er thy name ; should any come 
" To seek yon herd, be thou discreet, and say 
" Thou hast not seen them. Nay — think not I ask 
" A barren favour : — this fair heifer pays 810 

" Thy silence " — and he gave it. Glad at heart 
Was Battus with the bargain. " Go," he cried, 
" In peace " — and, pointing to a stone hard by, 
" Yon stone shall speak as soon as I ! " — The God 
Seems to depart, but soon returns, disguised 815 



62 HERSE, MERCURY, AND AGLAUROS. [Book II. 

In altered form and voice. " Ho ! countryman ! 

" If here perchance a straying herd has passed, 

" Tell me which way they took, and help detect 

" The thief who stole them. Tor reward I pledge 

" This bull and cow." The doubled bribe o'ercame 820 

The sordid churl. " Look for them there," he cries, 

" Beneath the hill." Beneath the hill they were. 

Loud laughed the careless God — " Me to myself 

" Dost thou betray, perfidious Clown ! " he cried, 

" Me to my very self? " And to a stone 825 

The perjurer changed, still Index called, and so 

Linked through all time to shame it ne'er deserved. 

XII. Then spread the bearer of the mystic rod 
His wings, and soared aloft, and, o'er the fields 
Munychian and Lycseus' learned groves, 830 

"Looked down upon the land Minerva loved. 
It chanced that day the Attic Maids, with rite 
Ancestral, to the fane of Pallas bore 
In baskets garlanded their offerings pure. 
These saw the God returning, nor his, way 835 

Onward pursued, but, o'er them hovering, kept 
Like course : — and, as a Kite, what time he sees 
The reeking victim's gore, while yet the Priests 
Around it thronging scare him, fears, nor flies 
Away, but wheels at distance, and with hope 840 

Of coming banquet flaps his greedy wings, — 
So, poised above the Athenian towers, his flight 
Cyllenius circling held. As brighter far 
Than other stars shines Lucifer, and thou 
Than Lucifer, golden Phoebe, — so 845 



Book II.] HERSE, MERCURY, AND AGLAUROS. 6$ 

Excelling all the rest young Herse moved, 

That pomp's chief ornament, the pride and boast 

Of all her sister-maids. Her beauty smote 

The astonished God. And, as a bullet, whirled 

From Balearic sling, amid the clouds 850 

It pierces, warming, gathers, as it speeds, 

A heat unknown before, and glows with fire, — 

So sudden burned the hovering Deity. 

~No thought is more of Heaven : — Earth now is all 

His journey's end. He lights, and, confident 855 

In his own form, nor in such confidence 

Unwarranted, disdains disguise : yet adds 

Such charm as care can give, and parts and smooths 

His locks, and orders fair his mantle's flow, 

And all its golden fringe displays, and trims 860 

His rod, of power to call or banish sleep, 

And bids his winged feet their whitest wear. 

Three chambers in the inner palace stood 
With ivory decked and tortoise-shell : — the left 
Aglauros held, the right was Pandrosos', 865 

The midmost Herse's. ^ First Aglauros spies 
The entering God, and, what his name, demands, 
And why he comes. To whom the Pleiad-born 
Atlantian. " I am he who bear from Heaven 
" The mandates of my Sire : my Sire is Jove 870 

" Himself, no less. I care not to disguise 
" My aim. Do thou thy Sister's secret keep, 
" And let my Godlike offspring hail thee Aunt ! 
" Herse I love ! assist a lover's suit ! " 

With those same eyes she scanned him which of yore 
Faithless on Pallas' hidden secret looked, 876 



64 HERSE, MERCURY, AND AGLAUROS. [Book II. 

And for large bribe of gold her service pledged, 

And bade him, for the nonce, the palace leave. 

But on her act and her the angry eye 

Of War's great Goddess looked, — and such a sigh 880 

Heaved all her frame, that on her mailed breast 

The very iEgis shook. Still freshly wakes 

The memory of the perjured hand profane 

That erst her casket oped, and saw within 

That motherless strange babe of Lemnos' Lord 885 

Concealed. And shall she now fresh favour win 

From yet another God, and her he loves, 

And revel in the wealth her greed demands ? — 

Forthwith she seeks the home of Envy, foul 

And black with all corruption. Deep recessed 890 

Within a cave it lies, obscure. Nor sun 

Upon it beams, nor through it any wind 

Blows wholesome : — -joyless, numb with idle cold, 

Nor knowing warmth of fire, nor cheer of light. 

Before the portal War's great Goddess paused, — 895 

Which none may dare to pass, — and with her spear 

The lintel struck : — the clanging doors flew wide. 

The Hag within she sees, on banquet foul 

Gorging of viper's flesh, fit nutriment 

Of envy ; and, disgusted, from the sight 900 

Averts her eyes. She, slowly from the ground 

Upreared, unwilling left the hateful meal 

Half finished, and with leaden step came forth, 

And, with a groan, the Goddess knew, so graced 

In form, so bright of panoply, — and sighed 905 

Even from her inmost soul at sight so fair. 

Bloodless her cheeks and white, and lean her form 



Book II.] HERSE, MERCURY, AND AGLAUROS. 65 

IJnnourished; — both her eyes askew; — her teeth. 

Foul and discoloured : — all her dugs with gall 

Were green, and from her tongue the venom dripped. 910 

Never she smiles, or with such smile alone 

As sight of other's woe may move ; — nor knows 

The balm of sleep, still tossed by wakeful cares ; — 

And sees alone such luck as haps to men 

To sicken at the sight; and carps at all, 915 

And at herself, — her proper torment still. 

Briefly the Goddess spoke, nor cared to hide 

Her loathing — " "With thy venom speed, and touch 

" Of Cecrops' daughters one, Aglauros : — so 

" I will it ! " With the words she struck on earth 920 

Her spear's support, and vaulting, soared to heaven. 

Murmuring, with eye asquint the Beldame marks 

Her upward flight, much grieving not to dare 

Eefuse obedience : — then her staff she takes 

Wreathed all around with thorns, and, veiled in clouds, 

Sets forth. Where'er she moves the verdant fields 926 

Are parched, the herbage burns, the withered ears 

Beneath her track fall dead. Her breath infects 

Each town, each house she passes, and pollutes 

The life within them. To Minerva's seat 930 

She comes at last, where Wit, and Wealth, and Peace, 

In blessed union smile, and scarce refrains 

From tears, to see no cause why tears should flow ; 

And, entering straight the bower of Cecrops' child, 

The Goddess' hest fulfils. With cankered hand 935 

The Maiden's breast she touches, and her heart 

Distracts with thoughts that prick like hooked thorns, 

And poisonous breathes upon her, till through all 

E 



66 HERSE, MERCURY, AND AGLAUROS. [Book II. 

Her "bones and veins the livid venom spreads 

And works infused. !Nor leaves she far to seek 940 

Fresh aliment of ill. Before her eyes 

She sets her happier Sister's chance, — a God 

Her Lover, — and the God's own beauty paints 

In fairest hues, and artful magnifies 

The charm of all she draws. With secret pangs 945 

Aglauros writhes tormented. Night and day 

Alike she pines, and slowly wastes, as ice 

Wastes slowly in the winter's doubtful Sun ; 

And, inly chafing at her Sister's bliss, 

Burns smouldering, like a heap of weeds that chars 950 

With smothered heat, but never breaks in flame. 

Often she called on Death to spare her eyes 

The sight she dreaded : — to her Sire austere 

Oft purposed Herse to accuse : — at last 

Upon the threshold took her post, resolved 955 

To meet and bid the coming God begone ! 

The coming God all blandishments, and prayers 

Proffers, and winning words ; — " 'Tis vain ! " she cries, 

" Depart ! or from this place I stir not more ! " 

Quick answered her Cyllenius, — " Be it so ! 960 

" I take thee at thy word ! " and, with his rod, 

The carven doors struck open. All in vain 

She strove to rise. The flexile hmbs with which 

We sit refused to straighten, torpid-bound 

And motionless : — her body's trunk alone 965 

She moves. A sudden stiffness all her joints 

Freezing pervades. Her veins are bloodless all 

And pallid. And, as when some Cancer spreads, 

Immedicable, to the parts diseased 



Book II.] STORY OF EUROPA. 67 

Fast adding those yet wholesome, — so the ice 970 

Of Death creeps upward to her breast, and shuts 
The passages of Life and breath. No more 
She strove to speak, or, had she striven, no voice 
Could more have found its way. Her neck, her mouth, 
Were stone. The maid a bloodless statue sate ; 975 

Nor even such whiteness kept as marble should, 
Eut took a dark hue from the soul within. 

XIII. Such vengeance meet for word and thought profane 
The Son of Maia took, — and spread his wings 
For Heaven, and left the towers of Pallas named. 980 

There called him straight his Sire apart ; — nor told 
The cause of Love which moved him : — but " Son ! 
" Tried minister of all my hests," he said, 
" Delay not ! with thy wonted swiftness haste, 
" And seek the land — Sidonia by its sons 985 

" Surnamed — which from the left thy Mother-star 
" The Pleiad views. A royal herd thine eye 
" Will meet, on mountain-pastures grazing : — this 
" Down to the shore direct." He spoke. The herd 
Was guided from the mountains to the shore, 990 

Where, with her maidens girt, the Tyrian King's 
Fair daughter used her sport to take. Ill-matched 
Are Majesty and Love, nor in one breast 
Hold seemly union ! — He, the Sire and Lord 
Of Gods, whose hand the triple-forked bolt 995 

Of lightning arms, whose awful nod the world 
Makes tremble to its base, his attribute 
Of Eule, his sceptre, lays aside, and moves 
In form a Bull, and 'mid the heifers lows, 



68 STORY OF EUROPA. [Book II. 

And, in such form yet fair, trie pastures treads ! iooo 

In colour as the snow which never yet 

The foot of man hath trampled, or the breath 

Of watery Auster warmed. Upon his neck 

The muscles swell ; — below his shoulder hangs 

His dewlap; — small his horns, but seeming turned 1005 

And wrought by deftest hand, transparent white 

As purest gem. No threatening brow — no glare 

Of eye — all peace he looks. Agenor's child 

Admiring sees the beast, so beautiful, 

So gentle, — yet that seeming mildness shrinks 1010 

To tempt by touch. At last she summons heart 

And to the white mouth proffers flowers. The flowers 

Gladly the brute accepts, and licks the hand 

Which offers — foretaste of the bliss to come 

"Which scarce he waits impatient. Now he frisks, 1 o 1 5 

Now wanton leaps along the mead, and now 

Bolls his white sides upon the yellow sands. 

And now — all fear subdued — his breast he yields 

To the maid's fondling palm, and now his horns 

Delighted sees with garlands wreathed : — And now, 1020 

Unknowing what she mounts, upon his back 

She takes her seat. 'Tis done ! With gentle pace 

From shore to ocean strays the bull, and feigns 

In the wave's marge his hoofs to lave, and still 

Treads deeper, and ere long, — his prize secured, — 1025 

Strikes fairly out to sea ! Too late alarmed 

Back looks she on the fast-receding shore 

Too rashly left : — and with her better hand 

Clasps terrified a horn : — the other, pressed 

On his broad back, supports her, — as the breeze 1030 

Behind her wafts her mantle's rippling folds. 



THE 

METAMORPHOSES 

OF 

PUBLIUS OVIDIUS NASO 



BOOK III. 



THE METAMORPHOSES. 



BOOK III 



T. And now the God the bull's false form had doffed, 
And owned himself, and on the shores of Crete 
His suit had urged and won. Meanwhile her Sire, 
Unknowing what had happed, to Cadmus gave 
Command to seek his sister, and decreed, 
Just and unjust at once, his banishment 
The doom of failure. Many a shore he searched, 
But what Jove hides who finds % — Agenor's wrath 
To his own land forbade return : — and thus 
A suppliant to the oracles he came 
Of Phoebus, asking where henceforth to find 
A home. " What time," the Deity replied, 
" Thou meet'st a heifer in the lonely fields 
" That never yet the yoke hath borne, or toiled 
" Before the crooked share, her make thy guide : — 
" And, where she lays her down to rest, thy walls 
" Build fearless, and Boeotia call the land." 
Scarce yet the grot Castalian had the youth 
Descending left, when lo ! unwatched he sees 



10 



15 



*]2 STORY OF CADMUS. [Book III. 

A heifer, slowly pacing, on whose neck 20 

No trace of toil was visible. Her track 

He follows, suiting to her speed his own, 

And silent thanks to Phoebus gives for road 

So marked. Across Cephisus' ford she led, 

And past the fields of Panope ; — then stopped, 25 

And, raising high her spreading horns to heaven, 

"With lowings filled the air, and turned, and looked 

Upon the band that followed her, and chose 

Her place, and on the soft grass laid her down. 

The thankful Cadmus with a kiss the soil 30 

Greets, and those unknown hills and fields salutes : 

And now to Jove due rites prepares, and sends 

His followers, at some living fount to seek 

Libations pure of water. Nigh at hand 

Stood an old grove, ne'er yet by axe profaned, 35 

And in its midst a cave, with entrance low 

Beneath a natural arch of stone, o'ergrown 

With twig and shoot and leaf, whence issued bright 

A plenteous rill. But in the cavern's depth 

A monstrous Snake there lay, sacred to Mars, 40 

Golden of back and crest, and fiery-eyed, 

And swoln with venom foul, whose triple tongue 

Flickered 'twixt rows of triple-ordered fangs. 

Soon as those luckless sons of Tyre the shade 

Had entered, and with plashing bowl disturbed 45 

The stillness of the place, the horrid head 

Erect with angry hiss looked forth. The blood 

Their veins deserted ; sudden tremors shook 

Their limbs ; and from their hands the vessels fell. 

But he, his flexile orbs of scaly coil 50 



Book III.] STORY OF CADMUS. 73 

Twining, in arch enormous rears aloft 

His length, and, with his greater bulk in air 

Erect, on all the grove looks down : — not less 

In size than that huge Snake which parts in Heaven 

The greater and the lesser Bear : — then swoops 55 

Down on that hapless band. Escapes not one, 

Or flying, or resisting, or though fear 

Of both incapable. These with his fangs, 

These in his crushing coils he slays, and these 

With the rank poison in his breath exhaled. 60 

Now highest burned the noon, and shortest lay 
The shadows, when, uneasy at their stay 
Cadmus his comrades sought. A lion's hide 
His shoulders clad; in hand a spear he bore 
Steel-pointed, and a lighter dart ; — within, 65 

A fearless heart, before all weapons else. 
Too soon within that fatal grove he found 
Their bodies stretched in Death, and that huge foe 
Yictorious, licking with his bloody tongue 
Their wounds yet gaping fresh. " Tried friends and true ! " 
He cried, " your fate I here avenge or share I " 71 

And stooping, with his right hand reft from earth 
A rock's vast mass, and with huge effort hurled. 
Unhurt the serpent bore the shock, whose force 
Had shaken to their base the battlements 7 5 

Of many a city, — by his scaly mail 
Defended and the stubborn hide, whence back 
The stone recoiled. But not against the dart, 
More keen, such fence availed, which deep infixed 
Stuck quivering in his curving spine, and pierced 80 

With iron point his vitals. Mad with pain 



74 STORY OF CADMUS. [Book III. 

Backward his head the monster writhes, and sees 

His wound, and gripes the lance's shaft, and bends, 

And wrenches, now on this side, now on that, 

And with vast effort snaps it from the barb 85 

That rankles still within. His native rage 

New wrath inflames, and in his throat the veins 

Well nigh to bursting swell. His poisonous jaws 

Are white with foam. "With echoing stroke his scales 

The Earth beneath Mm lash, and every breath 90 

That issues from Iris Stygian throat the air 

Around infects. Now in enormous coil 

He curls convulsed, now rigid as the mast 

Of some huge ship extends, and hurls himself 

With all his force upon his foe, and through 95 

The branches crashes, like some torrent swoln 

With wintry storms. Agenor's son the shock 

Eludes, and on Iris lion's hide receives 

The threatening fangs, and with his spear-point meets 

And checks their fury. Madly on the steel 100 

With harmless wound he bites • — against it break 

His fangs : — and from his poisonous maw the blood 

Elows visible, and flecks the turf beneath 

With crimson drops. But, lightly pricked as yet, 

Backward he draws his wounded neck, and yields 105 

Some space, and yielding shuns a deeper thrust. 

But on him Cadmus presses, and the steel 

Drives in his throat, and to a giant oak, 

That bars his farther regress, pins him fast. 

Bows with his weight the trunk, and every branch no 

Lashed with his tail's convulsive throes resounds. 

Upon the vast bulk of his conquered foe 



Book III.] STORY OF CADMUS. 75 

Gazing the conqueror stood, when lo ! a voice — - 

Uncertain whence — rang clear — " Agenor's son ! 

" See, in that serpent slain, the form thyself 115 

" Shalt one day wear ! " With sudden terror fled 

From his white cheeks the blood, and every hair 

Eose bristling from his head. But from the skies 

Came favouring Pallas to the hero's aid, 

And bade him draw the monster's fangs, and sow 120 

With that strange seed the loosened earth, the germ 

Of his realm's future people. Straight he drove 

The ordered furrows, and the teeth, ordained 

To human harvest, buried. Scarce the tale 

May claim belief. The soil upheaved, and first 125 

Above the surface glittering spear-points rose, 

Then, helmets with their nodding crests, and next 

Shoulders, and breasts, and arms, that brandished fierce 

Buckler, and sword, and lance ; — a warrior-crop 

Full-ripened at its birth. So, — when the crowd 130 

Fills, on some feast, the Theatre, — aloft 

The curtain rises, and by slow degrees 

Reveals its pictured forms : — the heads at first, 

The bodies following, rise in sight, and last 

The feet upon its lower marge appear. 135 

Startled at those apparent foes, his arms 

The hero grasps; but, from the earth-born ranks, 

" Forbear ! " — one shouted loud, — " nor interpose 

" In civil strife ! " and, as he spoke, his sword 

Struck dead his nearest comrade, and himself 140 

Fell by another's spear : — as instant fate 

The slayer meets, — his earliest breath his last ! 

Through all like madness burns ; with mutual wounds 



y6 STORY OF ACTION. [Book III. 

The new-born brothers fratricidal fall : — 

Till wellnigh all the short-lived band, a heap 145 

Still quivering, on the Earth that bare them, bleeds. 

Five yet survived, — Echion one. His arms, 

(So Pallas prompted,) on the ground he flung 

And asked, and pledged, a truce : and, with those five 

To aid, Agenor's son the Oracle 150 

Fulfilled, and traced his future city's walls. 

II. So rose the towers of Thebes ; and, lifted thus 
By exile to all honour, Cadmus reigned 
The son-in-law of Gods. Eair progeny 
Of sons and daughters blessed him, and from those 155 
Due issue, young as yet. But ah ! who dares, — 
Ere the last day of life hath set, and Death 
And funeral rite from all ill hap insure, — 
Call any happy? From a grandchild's fate, 
Cadmus, 'mid all thy wealth, thy earliest cause 160 

Of sorrow sprang : — fate cruel, pitiful, 
Of changing brows that sprouted into horns, 
And raging hounds that lapped their master's blood ! 
Sad tale, but shameless : — miserable chance 
But guiltless all, — for error is not crime. 165 

What time the Sun rode midway 'twixt the Poles, 
And shortest in the noon the shadows lay, 
Upon a mount, where ever plenteous game 
And various paid the hunter's toil, his steps 
Actseon stayed, and to the train who shared 170 

His sport among the tangled thickets, spake. 
" Enough, comrades, for to-day of spoil 
" Hath Fortune given : — with blood of slaughtered beasts 






Book III.] STORY OF ACTVEOX. J J 

" Oiir nets and weapons reek. To-morrow morn 

" Aurora from her saffron car shall see 175 

" The chase renewed. Now, Phoebus from his height 

" Midmost 'twixt East and West too fiercely darts 

" His beams, and from the cleft Earth rise and swim 

" The vaporous exhalations. Cease we then 

" Our labours, and the knotted toils collect," 180 

A vale was nigh, with shade of pitchy pine 
And arrowy cypress cool, Gargaphia called, 
To Dian sacred : — in its depths a cave 
With trailing foliage roofed. No art of man 
Thereon had wrought, but Nature's self, with skill 185 

Than art more cunning, framed its native arch 
Of pumice light and sandstone, whence adown 
A spring gushed musical, with shallow wave 
Yet clear, and broadening by a marge of grass, 
"Whereby the Goddess of the woods, fatigued, 190 

Was wont to rest her from the chase, and cool 
Her virgin limbs in the refreshing stream. 
There now she came, and of her train to this 
Her darts and quiver gave and bow unstrung, 
To that her robe ungirt. Her sandals' clasp 195 

Two more unloose : — while one, of nicer hand, 
Ismenian Crocale, her tresses' wealth 
Loose floating gathers to a knot, — her own 
Unbound. In urns capacious, Hyale, 
Nephele, Rhanis, Psecas, Phiale, 200 

The water bring, and o'er their Mistress' form, 
The wonted coolness pour. Thus as she bathed, — 
Roaming with idle steps and purposeless 
The unknown glades, his hunting for the day 






7 8 STORY OF ACT/EON. [Book III. 

Abandoned, on that secret haunt — so Fate 205 

Would have it — came Action, to the cave 

Drawn by the tinkling rill. With sudden shriek, 

Scared at the sight of man, the Nymphs awoke 

The echoes, beating wild their bosoms bare, 

And round Diana pressed, and clung, and strove 2 io 

To hide her form ; — though high above them all 

And taller by the head the Goddess towered. 

Flushed with such colour as the fronting Sun 

Paints on the clouds, or at the purple dawn 

Aurora wears, stood Dian, thus exposed 215 

Unrobed ; and 'mid the circling band that veiled 

Her beauties sidelong turned, with wrathful look 

Askance upon the intruder. Oh ! for one 

Of all her arrows now ! The neighbouring stream 

Supplied the want. With vengeful hand she dashed 220 

Against his manly cheek and o'er his brow 

The gathered drops, and terrible his doom 

Foreboding — " Go ! " she cried, " and, if thy tongue 

" Can shape the tale, tell how thou sawest once 

" A Goddess naked! " As she spake, the horns 225 

Branched sudden from his dripping brows, — his neck 

Swelled ampler, and with tapering point his ears 

Erected stood, and arms in legs and hands 

In cloven feet were lost, and dappled hide 

The place of skin usurped. With all the fears 230 

Of his new nature trembling, fast he fled, 

At his own swiftness marvelling in his flight, 

And in a clear stream saw his mirrored horns, 

And " Ah ! unhappy ! " strove to cry : — but voice 

Came none : — an inarticulate moan was all 235 



Book III.] STORY OF ACT7E0N. 79 

The sound he uttered now. Down his new cheeks 
The big tears coursed. The human mind alone 
Unchanged was left. All ! whither shall he turn 1 
His home 1 — his father's palace 1 — Shame forbids 
Eeturn to these : — the forest? — Fear denies 240 

That refuge. While he hesitates, his pack 
Questing espies him, and with tuneful cry- 
Opens upon the game. Melampus first, 
Of Spartan breed, gave tongue : Ichnobates 
Of Cretan blood, sagacious, swelled the note; 245 

And like the wind the rest came rushing fast, 
Dorceus, and Pamphagus, Oribasus, 
Arcadian all, — and strong Nebrophonus, 
Laelaps, and savage Theron, Pterelas 

For speed and Agre famed for keenest scent, 250 

Hylseus, with his boar's wound yet unhealed, — 
Nape, half wolf in blood, — and Pcemenis 
Terror of beasts, — Harpyia, with twin whelps 
Beside her, — Ladon of the narrow flanks 
In Sicyon bred, — Dromas, and Canace, 255 

Sticte, and Tigris, Alee, Leucon white 
As snow, and sable-coated Asbolus, 
And Lacon strong of limb, Aello swift 
As wind, — and Thous and Lycisca, twins 
Of the same Cyprian litter, — Harpalus 260 

Conspicuous by his forehead's darker spot, 
And Melaneus, and Lachne rough of coat, 
And Labros, and Agriados, and shrill 
Of yelp Hylactor, all of Cretan sire 

And Spartan mother bred, — and more whose names 265 
Were long to tell. All these the prize in sight 



80 STORY' OF ACTION. [Book III. 

Inflames, and all, o'er stones and pathless rocks 

Where way was difficult, or way was none, 

Press open-mouthed the chase. Poor fugitive ! 

He flies the very followers whom his cheer 270 

"Was wont to urge, along the very tracks 

Himself so oft pursuing trod ! And " Hold ! " 

He would have cried — " Actaeon I ! your Lord ! ^ 

" Do ye not know me 1 " — But the words refused 

His will. The baying of the eager hounds 275 

Eang deafening. Melanchaeres first his fangs 

Fixed in his flank, Theridamas was next, 

And on his shoulder Oresitrophus 

Hung fast : — the rest had earlier start, but these 

By shorter path outstripped them, and his flight 280 

Arresting, gave their fellows time to reach 

The prey. The whole pack tears him now, though all 

Can scarce And space to tear. With sobs and moans 

Not human, but such sounds as never yet 

Issued from throat of deer, his piteous plaints 285 

The forest fill. Prone on his knees he falls, 

And, now on this side now on that, his head 

Turns suppliant, as a man in deadliest strait 

His arms imploring waves. With fierce halloo, 

Unknowing whom they tear, his comrades urge 290 

The ravening pack, and wondering look around 

To find their leader wanting, shouting loud 

" Actaeon ! ho ! Actaeon ! " To the name 

In answer vain his head he turns. Again 

The cry " Actaeon ! " rings, and chides their Lord 295 

Absent from such a spoil. Absent ! alas ! 

Too present is he ! Would their taunt were true, 



Book III.] STORY OF SEMELE. 8 1 

And he they blame for absence could but come 

And see, not feel, such Death ! — No hope ! the hounds 

Were rending limb from limb, their muzzles red 300 

With his best blood : — how should they recognise 

In that torn deer their Lord 1 — and not, till life, 

Welling through countless wounds, to its last drop 

Had ebbed, -was Dian's vengeance satisfied. 

III. Wide bruited flew the tale : — to these, such doom 
Too heavy seemed and more than just, — to those 306 

But such as outraged Maid should pass : — nor lacked 
For argument each censure. Juno deigned 
Alone nor praise nor blame ; but glad beheld 
The blow that maimed Agenor's race ; and all 310 

The hate that for Jove's Tyrian paramour, 
Europa, long her soul had nursed, transferred 
To all who shared her blood. That earlier wrQng 
A later now embitters : — Semele 

Bears in her teeming womb the fruit of Jove. 315 

High swelled Saturnia's wrath, and protest fierce 
Leaped to her lips, ill checked. " What profit yet," 
She cried, " hath protest brought me? From herself 
" I seek my vengeance now ! She dies ! — if still 
" Juno her ancient name of * Greatest ' holds, — 320 

" If yet the jewelled sceptre of the skies 
" Befits my grasp, — Jove's sister both and wife, — 
" Sister beyond dispute ; — for wife, — that name 
" The Theban, with one stolen embrace content, 
" Haply may yet allow me, nor designs 325 

" More wrong. What more 1 — she breeds ! there lacked but 
this! 

F 



82 STORY OF SEMELE. [Book III. 



" This swelling manifest of guilt ! — this vaunt 

" To bear a child to Jupiter, a boast 

" But scantly to myself permitted, seals 

" Her doom ! — She trusts her beauty : — she shall rue 330 

" That confidence ! — or Saturn's child disowns 

" Her name, or Jove himself ere long shall hurl 

" His darling, blasted, to the waves of Styx ! " 

She said ; — and, rising from her throne, in clouds 

Enveloped sought the home of Semele, 335 

Thence issuing, at her threshold, in the form 

Of Epidaurian Beroe, in past time 

Her childhood's nurse : — with whitened locks, and cheeks 

With wrinkles furrowed, — limbs and step with age 

Bending and trembling, — and such voice as suits . 340 

The tongue of withered eld. And as their talk 

Wore on, and Jove was named, " Alas ! " she sighed, 

" Would Jove indeed it were ! but of such feints 

" Experience warns : and, in the guise of Gods, 

" Betrayers win an easy prey. If Jove 345 

" He be, why, let him prove it ! Why not give 

" Pledge of his love, and, if his vaunt be true, 

" Come to thy arms in form like that he wears 

" When Juno's couch he seeks, and manifest 

" The Godhead he asserts?" The insidious wile 350 

Wrought on the child of Cadmus, and a boon 

She asks, unnamed, of Jove. " Name it ! " he cries, 

" Freely, nor fear denial : — by the might 

" Of Styx, that Eear and God of Gods, 'tis thine ! " 

Glad at the fatal grant that proves too well 355 

Her power, nor knowing how the Love that yields 

Her suit is Death, " Be mine," she cries, — " when next 






Book III.] TRANSFORMATION OF TIRESIAS. 8$ 

" Thou comest, — in such form as Juno's arms 

" Embrace in Heaven ! " To check the hasty speech 

He strove — in vain. The fatal words had way : — 360 

The boon was asked : — the oath was sworn : — and sad 

And sorrowful, with many a sigh, to Heaven 

Jove mounts. Around him all his following clouds 

He summons, — and his storms, — the flash that cleaves 

The wind-swept rack, — the thunders, — and the bolt 365 

Of Death inevitable ; — yet their force 

Tempers as best he may, nor with that blaze 

Too fierce which erst in shattered ruin hurled 

Typhosus of the hundred hands, invests 

His majesty, but with the milder fires, 370 

In Vulcan's stithy by his Cyclops wrought, 

Less terrible, less angry, — named of Gods 

His Second Thunders. Thus arrayed, the bower 

Of Semele he seeks. But not even thus 

May mortal frame endure a God ! The boon 375 

Her Lover grants is Death : — and in his arms 

She burns ! But from her womb the babe unborn — 

So runs the tale — he freed, and in his thigh 

Inserted gave gestation due, and bore, 

And placed in Ino's secret care, to tend 380 

His infancy, till Nysa's Nymphs received 

The charge, and in their distant caverns hid, 

And with due nurture reared the growing God. 

IY. Thus, while on Earth the laws of Eate their sway 
Held steady, and young Bacchus, doubly born, 385 

Safe in his cradle slept, — great Jove, they say, 
By nectar warmed, with Juno toying held 



84 STORY OF ECHO. -[Book III. 

Contention amorous. " Your sense of love 

" Is keener far than ours ! " he cried. " Not so ! " 

The Goddess answered. To Tiresias both 390 

Appealed, experienced in each sex, to solve 

The controversy. In his youth, the Sage 

Two serpents in the greenwood shade had marked 

Engendering, and with stroke of careless staff 

Disparted. With the blow — strange prodigy ! — 395 

His sex was altered, and for seven long years 

The man a woman lived. But, with the eighth, 

Again the self-same pair he saw. " If thus," 

He cried, " my stroke had mystic power to change 

" The striker once, again I strike ! " He struck 400 

And stood restored to sex and form, as birth 

Had made him. Of that contest arbiter 

For Jove he gave his voice. Saturnia, vexed 

More than such cause might justify, the Judge 

Smote with eternal blindness. Never God 405 

What God hath done may change : — but pitying Jove 

Gave him with mental vision to foresee 

All future things, and with prophetic power 

Made recompense for that lost light of eyes. 

Y. So lived he, through Aonian cities famed, 410 

With hest that ne'er misled, in all their straits 
Guiding the folk. Liriope was first 
His certain art to prove, — Liriope, 
Of Ocean-birth, whom erst Cephisus caught 
Amid his windings, and, with treacherous wave 415 

Imprisoning, forced and won. A beauteous boy 
She bore him, from his earliest years the love 



Book III.] STORY OF ECHO. 85 

Of all the Nyniphs, Narcissus called, — and sought 

The Sage, with question, if for length of days 

The child might hope. " Ay," answered her the Seer, 420 

" If ne'er himself he knows ! " The words seemed vain 

And idle, but the event, and novel cause 

Of Death, and strangest passion, proved them true. 

So fifteen years and one rolled on, and fair 

Narcissus grew, 'twixt boy and man, the love 425 

Of many a youth and maid, to love of none 

Or youth or maid responsive, coldly wrapped 

In self and native pride of form. It chanced, 

What time for timorous deer his toils he spread, 

A Nymph beheld him, Echo, Nymph whom none 430 

Addressed unanswered, none herself with speech 

Addressing first; not yet a bodiless voice 

But in fair form substantial, though of words 

The babbling Maid such use alone possessed 

As still she owns, — the latest sounds that reach 435 

Her ear returning for reply. Such doom 

From Juno came. When oft her truant Lord 

Jealous among the mountain Nymphs she sought, 

Echo in talk would hold her, till the search 

Was vain — the Nymphs were gone. Saturnia saw 440 

The fraud. " The tongue that thus hath baffled me 

" Shall serve thee little more," she cried, — " Small use 

" Of voice henceforth be thine ! " The act the threat 

Confirmed, and Echo now but knows what sounds 

Are uttered last responsive to return, 445 

As mocked, and only what she hears repeats. 

'Twas thus among the pathless shades she saw 

The youth, and loved : — stealthy upon his steps 



86 STORY OF ECHO. [Book III. 

She followed, and, the more she followed, more 

Enamoured burned. Not quicker does the torch 450 

In sulphur steeped take fire. How oft she longed 

With gentle words to greet, with loving prayer 

To move him ; — but that first accost the doom 

Of Juno not allowed. Yet, — what she could, — 

Anxious for speech she waited, prompt what words 455 

He uttered to return. Alone he stood, 

Far from his comrades, — and " Is no one here 1 " 

He cried : — " One here ! " the nymph replied. He gazed 

Astonished round. " Then come ! " he shouted : — quick 

The voice the caller called, " Then come ! " — amazed 460 

He stood, for no one came. " Why shun me thus 1 " 

He cried, and back the words repeated rang. 

Still he persists, " Here ! meet me ! " never sound 

More grateful struck her ears. " Here ! meet me ! " glad 

She answered, from the thicket with the words 465 

Issuing, and fain with loving arms to clasp 

Her summoner. But ah ! he flies, and shuns 

The proffered love. " Nay ! rather death," he cries, 

"Than thou shalt say 'Be mine!'" "Be mine!" was 

aU 
Despair could answer. And from that time forth, 470 

Eejected, in the woods and caverns lone 
Concealed she dwelt, still loving, and with grief 
Of that cold scorn pined ever, till her form 
Faded with sorrow, and all kindly juice 
Wherewith our frame is nourished, into air 475 

Wasting, was lost, and only voice and bones 
Were left. The voice remains. The bones, they say, 
Took rocky form and texture. In the woods 



Book III.] STORY OF NARCISSUS. 8y 

She lurks, seen never on the mountain-side, 

But heard of all, — mere unsubstantial sound ! 480 

VI. So she, so many a Nymph of wave or hill 
His coldness rued, — so all who loved. So spurned 
" May he himself," they cried, with angry prayer, 
" Thus love and thus be scorned ! " Great Nemesis, 
The entreaty heard, and owned for just. A fount 485 

There stood, that land within, of silvery depth 
Unstained, upon whose marge no shepherd's foot 
Had trodden yet, to mountain-goat and all 
The pasturing herds unknown, — whose wave no tongue 
Of thirsting beast, or wing of wandering bird 490 

Had ruffled ; — never falling branch had marred 
Its stillness ; green its grassy brink, still fresh 
By the near moisture fed, and girt with shades 
That from its coolness ever barred the sun. 
This, as it chanced, the boy with toil of chase 495 

Wearied, and heat, discovered, by the charm 
Allured of shade and tinkling rill, and stooped 
His thirst to slake. Far other thirst that draught 
Awoke. Himself reflected in the wave 
He sees, and for a substance takes the shade, 500 

And for the image burns. Himself himself 
Inflames : — and, fixed as statue sculptured fair 
Of Parian marble, kneels the youth, and sees 
Those double stars, his eyes, reflected bright 
In that smooth mirror ; — locks which well might deck 
The brows of Bacchus or Apollo ; — cheeks 506 

Soft with the down of youth, — and neck of snow ; — 
All grace of form and colour, lily and rose 



88 STORY OF NARCISSUS. [Book III. 

Due blended : — and each charm, that ever moved 

The love of others, loves. Himself inspires 510 

His passion : — all he praises is his own. 

Wooing and wooed, the flame he yearns to raise 

But his own breast consumes. With kisses vain 

He prints the eluding waters, and with clasp 

Of eager arms strives 'neath the wave to clip 515 

The fleeting shape, nor in its lines himself 

Yet finds, and burns for what he sees, though what 

He sees he fails to recognise, nor knows 

What error 'tis that cheats and fascinates 

His eyes. Fond fool ! "What hope is there to seize 520 

That mocking image 1 What thine arms would fold 

Is nothing ! Only turn thee, and thy love 

Is lost and gone ! That fair reflection, void 

Of substance, fades and vanishes ; — with thee 

It came, — with thee it stays, — with thee, if thou 525 

Canst go, it goes ! — But neither lack of food 

Xor rest can make him go. Upon the grass 

Outstretched, with gaze insatiate still he dwells 

Fixed on that lying form, — and his own eyes 

Destroy him. To the woods around his arms 530 

Appealing wild he flings : — and " Say, ye shades," 

He cries — " for well ye know, whose bowers have screened 

" So many a happy wooer, say, was e'er, 

" In all the ages counted since your birth, 

" So hapless love as mine 1 In all your years 535 

" So passion-wasted saw ye ever one, 

" Hopeless, as I ? I see, and love, but what 

" I see and love escapes and mocks me ! Yet 

" Xor distance wide, nor mountain hmh, nor tower, 



Book III.] STORY OF NARCISSUS. 89 

" Nor portal closed, divides us ; — a mere drop 540 

" Of water bars me ! What I love returns 

" My flame, else wherefore, when I stoop to kiss 

" The lucent wave which shrines it, doth it raise 

" Those lips to answer mine 1 ? Ever I seem 

" To touch it, but some slenderest barrier mars 545 

" The hope. Come forth, whoe'er thou art ! "Why thus 

" Thy lover mock 1 What keeps thee from these arms % 

" Am I not young — not fair ? The Nymphs, whose love 

" Pursues me, tell me so ! Thy face, which bends 

" Kindly to mine, still bids me hope • — those arms 550 

" With meeting arms thou seem'st to seek ; — thy smile, 

" My smile returns ; and, if I weep, the tears 

" Seem from thine eyes to gush ; and, as I read 

" The motion of thy lips, thy words appear 

" To give reply which these dull ears in vain 555 

" Would catch. — Alas ! I see it now ! myself 

" It is that in this form I view ! myself 

" I burn for ! I myself alone the flame 

" Endure I fain would kindle ! What for me, 

" Wooing or wooed, remains? What yet to woo 560 

" Is left ? Myself is aU I seek,— and all 

" I want I have — a pauper in that wealth ! 

" Ah ! could I quit this frame of mine, — strange vow 

" Eor lover's tongue ! — and what I love resign, 

" Myself, to find in thee ! — Alas ! my strength 565 

" East fails me, nor much longer space of life 

" I feel is left ! Blighted in prime of youth 

" I fade, — nor grieving thus to end my pain 

" So only that fair form might longer live, 

" Nor in my Death all that I love should die ! " 570 



90 STORY OF NARCISSUS. [Book III. 

He said, and madly to that mirrored face 
Bent him once more. The tears that from his eyes 
Dropped in the fount the image blurred. Its lines 
Confused he saw, and shrieked — " No ! no ! not thus 
" Forsake thy lover ! Stay ! if not to touch 575 

" Be granted, let me see thee still ! still feed 
" At least with sight my madness ! " — And he tore 
His robe, and on his breast with wasted hand 
Beat passionate, till, where he struck, the blood 
The whiteness of his bosom flushed, and glowed 580 

As choicest apple glows, half white half red, 
Or clustered grape, not fully ripe, with blush 
Of partial purple varied. And he saw 
The clearing wave that colour mock, nor more 
Endured it, but, as waxen torch dissolves 585 

Beneath the flame, or frost of morning hoar 
Melts in the breaking sun, so, passion-worn 
And with that inward fire consumed, his frame 
Wasted and faded into naught, — nor charm 
Bemained of lily and rose, nor strength, nor use 590 

Of limb, nor vestige of that form which moved 
But now the love of Echo, as of all 
Who saw. But she, poor Nymph, though writhing yet 
Beneath his scorn, with tears that hapless fate 
Beheld, and, ever as he moaned " Alas !" 595 

" Alas ! " replied, and, as with fainter blow 
His breast he beat, sad imitative sounds 
Sorrowing herself returned. " Ah ! vainly loved ! " 
Were his last words, ere on that image closed 
His failing gaze, " Earewell ! " — " Ah ! vainly loved ! 600 
" Earewell ! " was Echo's answer. So his head 



Book III.] STORY OF PENTHEUS. 9 1 

Sank gently on the grass, and still his eyes 

Constant, in dying sought his cause of Death, 

Nor ceased within that nether realm received 

Beneath the very waves of Styx, to seek 605 

The image that he loved. His sister-hand 

Of Naiads mourned him, and with tresses shorn 

Bewailed his fate ; and Echo to the plaint 

Of Dryads loud lamenting lent her own. 

And now they would have buried him : — the bier, 610 

The pile, the torch, were there : — but where the corse 1 

A flower alone was all they found, whose heart 

Blazed golden 'mid a circlet of white leaves. 

VII. Quick through the cities of Achaia flew 
The tale, and honour crowned Tiresias' name. 615 

Yet one was found to scoff, — Echion's son 
Pentheus, — for foul contempt of Heaven and Gods 
Long infamous. With bitter gibe the Sage 
He taunted, and ".What trust in Seer," he cried, 
" Who cannot see?" Irate the Prophet shook 620 

The hoary honours of his brow. " For thee 
" Well were it, that thine eyes as mine were dark, 
" So never might'st thou Bacchus' mystic rite 
" Behold ! The day will come — nor distant long — 
" When a new guest shall visit thee, the son 625 

" Of Semele, great Liber, — whom with fame 
" And honour due receive, — or, piecemeal torn 
"I see thy scattered limbs ; — these woodland shades, 
" Thy mother's self, and all her sisters, red 
" And reeking with thy gore ! Thou hear'st thy fate ! 630 
" For well I know thy madness will deny 



92 STORY OF PENTHEUS. [Book III. 

" The Deity his right. But, in that hour, 

" Eemember how a Seer, though blind, could see ! "■ 

He said. Echion's son contemptuous drove 

The Prophet from his hall. But not the less 635 

Time proved his truth, and what he spake fulfilled. 

For Liber comes, foretold. "With festal mirth 

Of thronging crowds the fields resound : — the press 

Still thickens : — wife and maiden, man and boy, 

Noble and churl, in those new rites to share, 640 

All emulous and eager. " Hold ! " the voice 

Of Pentheus shouts, — " what madness thus, what rage 

" Misleads you, you from that old Snake who sprang 

" Warriors from birth 1 What magic in this clash 

" Of brass, or blast of crooked horn, resides, 645 

" That you, whom sword, and trump, and hostile rank 

" Arrayed, could never daunt, this woman's howl 

" Of drunken frenzy, and this rabble- rout 

" Obscene, with idle clang should awe? — To you 

" What shall I say, ye elders, ye who erst 650 

" O'er the broad seas your wandering household Gods 

" Brought here, and in a younger Tyre enshrined, — 

" Must ye now yield to armless hands'? — And ye 

" Of younger years and nearer mine, whose grasp 

" The sword and not the thyrsus fits, whose brows 655 

" The helm and not the garland, — think, think 

" What parentage ye boast, and let your breasts 

" That Serpent-Sire inspirit, who alone 

"So many overcame. He for his fount 

" And natal lake contending died. On you 660 

" Your fame it is that calls. The men he slew 

" Were heroes ! For your Country's honour drive 



Book III.] STORY OF PENTHEUS. 93 

" These dastards hence ! If Fate to Thebes denies 

" A longer date, oh ! let her walls at least 

" With shock of siege, and blaze of fire, and clash 665 

" Of weapon fall, if fall they must ! Such lot 

" Were bitter, but not shameful ! Men might tell 

" The tale, and weep the loss, nor blush to weep ! 

" Now to a beardless Boy we yield, whose hand 

" Nor wields the sword, nor reins the steed, nor joys 670 

" In aught that warriors honour, — curled, and crowned, 

" Perfumed, and garlanded, and purple-robed, 

" And braided o'er with gold, — whom I, forthwith, — 

" Stand ye aside and witness, — will compel 

" To own the Sire he vaunts, and these vain rites 675 

" He claims, a lie ! What ! shall Acrisius dare 

" His ports in Argos bar, nor entrance yield 

" To this impostor-God, and Pentheus, here, 

" With Thebes to back him, give him place 1 Away ! 

" And drag him bound before me ! " — to his guards 680 

He turned — "This instant bring him!" — With, vain prayers 

Cadmus adjured, and Athamas, and all 

His kin, and strove to stay him. They but stirred 

The rage they would have curbed : so checked, more tierce 

His frenzy blazed, and what would save him served 685 

Alone to speed his Pate. So downward rolls 

Some mighty Eiver, smooth as strong, while yet 

It meets no obstacle ; but, let some rock 

Or trunk submerged its course obstruct, and loud 

It roars, and chafes, and foams, by hindrance lashed 690 

To madness. Wounded, bloody, those he sent 

Eeturn, nor bring their captive. " Bacchus ! " shouts 

The tyrant, "Where is Bacchus'?" — "Him," they say 



94 STORY OF PENTHEUS. [Book III. 

Trembling, " we found not : but this Minister, 

" Fresh from bis rites, we bring," and, witb bound hands 

They showed a captured Tuscan of his train. 696 

VIII. Savagely on him glared the King, and ill 
His instant doom forbore. " Thou," he cried, 
" Destined to Death, and by thy death to warn 
" Thy crew, who art thou? speak ! "What land produced, 
" What Sire begot thee 1 " Calm, and void of fear, 701 
Answered the youth, — " Acoetes am I called, 
" By birth Maeonian. They to whom I owe 
" That birth, of humble rank. ~No wealth of fields 
" Tilled by the plough my Sire bequeathed, no flocks, 705 
" No herds. Himself was poor : — the nets and hooks 
" Wherewith the sportive people of the Sea 
" He snared, his all composed. His art was all 
" His revenue. He taught me that, and said, 
" ' Inherit all I have, my Son ! ' And so 710 

" He died, and for my fortune left the Sea. 
" But weary of the narrow rocks that bound 
" That daily life, I learned with ready hand 
" My little skiff to steer, and how to read 
" The stars, — the Goat whose shining bodes the rain, — 
" The watery Hyades, — Taygete, — 716 

" And Arctos ; — and what Quarters wont to send 
" The tempests forth, — what ports a shelter gave. 
" To Delos was I bound, and, in my course, 
" Touched on the shores of Dia. From my bark 720 

" Beached safely, lightly on the sandy marge 
" I leaped and landed. So the night I spent. 
" With the first blush of morn, for water fresh 



Book III.] STORY OF PENTHEUS. 95 

" My crew I sent, and where to find it showed. 

" Myself, upon a hillock posted, watched 725 

" A favouring wind, and, as it rose, recalled 

" My comrades to their toil. ' Here are we ! ' cried 

" Opheltes, stoutest of the band, and showed 

" A prize — for so he deemed — a youth, of form 

" Girl-like, amid the lonely fields surprised. 730 

" Half overcome he seemed with sleep and wine, 

" And scarce could follow. But his garb, his gait, 

" His air, seemed more than mortal. ' In that form/ 

" I cried, ' I know not who, but sure some God 

" ' Is hidden ! Whosoe'er thou art, our toils 735 

" ' Deign with success to crown, and these rude hands 

" * That seized thee, pardon ! ' ' Spare for us thy prayers ! ' 

" Quoth Dictys, than whom none of all my crew 

" Quicker the mast would climb, or lighter glide 

" Down the taut rope to deck. They joined him all, — 

" Libys, — Melanthus, — sharpest on the prow 741 

" To keep look-out, — Alcimedon, — and he 

" "Who gave the oars their time, and stroke, and rest, 

" Epopeus, — and the others : — so the greed 

" Of booty stirred their sordid souls. ' Forbear ! ' 745 

" I cried — ' 'tis I am Master here ! Such freight 

" ' Unhallowed never ship of mine shall bear ! ' 

" And urged to set him free. Of all the crew 

" Most mutinous was Ly cabas, who paid 

" In exile for some deed of murder done 750 

" Ere while, in Tuscan land. Up insolent 

" He sprang, and struck me in the throat. The blow 

" Beneath the waves had hurled me, but a rope 

" Caught me, as stunned I reeled, and saved the fall. 



96 STORY OF PENTHEUS. [Book III. 

IX. "But, as the brutal act trie unruly band 755 

" Applauding shouted, Bacchus — for himself 
" It was — from lethargy of sleep and wine 
" Eoused by the fray, awoke. ' What is't ye do 1 
" ' What means this cry 1 ' he said. ' How came I here 1 
" ' Where would ye take me, sailors 1 ' ' Have no fear/ 760 
" Melanthus answered, — ' to what port thou wilt 
" * We bear thee ! only name it ! ' ' Naxos then ! ' 
" Eeturned the God, ' where I shall find my home, 
" ' And ye a welcome. Steer for ISTaxos ! ' — Loud 
" By Ocean and all Gods the liars swore 765 

" Compliance, and impatient urged to sail. 
" Naxos to starboard lay, and starboard straight 
" Our course I held. * What ! art thou mad 1 ' cried one, 
" ' What folly this 1 ' another. This with sign 
" Threatening, and this with whispered menace, bade 770 
" Larboard to steer. ' Take then who will the helm ! ' 
" I answered — ' not to fraud and wrong this hand 
" ' Its art shall lend ! ' Around me pressed the crew 
" Murmuring and cursing : — ' Tool ! ' iEthalion cried, 
" ' Think'st thou no hand save thine can steer?' and leaped 
" Quick to my place and office, and our course 776 

" Ee versed, and right away from Naxos held. 

X. " Upon the poop stood Bacchus. On the Sea 
" He looked, and inly smiling to perceive 
" The purposed fraud, and like to one who wept, 780 

" * Not this,' he said, ' mariners, the shore 
" ' Ye promised, or I sought. What have I done 
" ' This wrong to merit 1 Little praise is theirs 
" ' Who with superior strength and numbers league 



Book III.] STORY OF PENTHEUS. 97 

" ' To cheat a solitary boy ! ' My tears 785 

" Mowed as lie spoke, but at my grief the crew 
" Unpitying mocked, and onward urged our course 
" With sweep of eager oars. By Him I swear — 
" For mightier Deity I know not — what 
" Eemains to tell is true as it is strange 790 

" And seeming past belief ! Sudden the bark 
" In the mid Ocean stopped, and rested, still 
" As in the dock of some great arsenal 
" Stands an unfinished hulk. The oars they ply 
" In vain, in vain the canvas spread. Around 795 

" The blades green ivy tendrils creep, and curl, 
" And all the sails with clustering berries shroud. 
" Crowned visible, with purple coronet 
" Of grapes, the God stands manifest, his spear 
" Wreathed with the leafage of the vine. Strange forms 
" Of beasts around him fawn, — tiger, and lynx, 801 

" And panther, — unsubstantial all, yet fierce 
" In seeming. Terrified, or mad, the crew 
" Plunge headlong in the waves. Eirst Medon leaped, 
" And, as he leaped, his back contracting bent 805 

" And curved, with fishy shape, and sprouting fin. 
" ' What change is this ? ' cried Ly cabas : — his mouth 
" Even as he spoke grew broader, and his nose 
" Flattened, and hard and shining scales his skin 
" Encrusted. Libys, at his leaden oar 810 

" Still labouring obstinate, the hands he strained 
" Contracting felt, and now no hands at all 
" He had, but merely fins. This strove a rope 
" To grasp, and lo ! no arms he found, and dwarfed 
" In size and shape sprang overboard, and showed, 815 

G 



9 8 



STORY OF PENTHEUS. 



[Book III. 



" Ere yet lie sank, a tail which like the horns 

" Of Luna cloven curved. On either side 

" They plunged, and dived, and rose again, and shook 

" The salt spray from their sides, and seemed to weave 



820 



25 



" Some choral measure mystic, as in sport 
" From their wide nostrils spouting high the brine. 
" But now our crew was twenty men : — I stood 
" The sole survivor, — trembling, shivering, all 
" My senses lost in terror ! — ' Fear not thou ! ' 
" He cried, and gave me heart : — ' for Naxos steer ! 
" For N"axos straight I steered : — and ever thence 
" Serve grateful at the altars of the God." 

" Fine tale, and subtly stuffed with circumstance 
" Of wonders," — Pentheus sneered — " so with mere length 
" To weary down my wrath ! Quick ! Bear him hence ! 
" And with all pangs ye can devise to Styx 831 

" Dismiss him ! " Thence they bore him, and fast-bound 
In dungeon laid, while for his death the fire 
"Was lit, the iron heated. But the doors, 
So runs the tale, spontaneous, of his cell 
Flew wide, and from his arms the fetters dropped 
Loosed by no mortal hand ! Echion's son 
Meanwhile, of purpose obstinate, no more 
To others trusts his vengeance, but himself 
CithsBron seeks, where yet, o'er all the mount 



835 



840 



Eesounding, wild the Bacchic chorus rang. 
And as the trumpet-call to battle stirs » 

The war-horse, burning for the strife, so him 
Those frantic shrieks that shook the throbbing air 
Excited, and with fiercer fury filled. 



845 



Book III.] STORY OF PENTHEUS. 99 

Mid-high upon the mountain lay a spot 
Where the thick woods that darkened "base and peak 
Disparted, and unshadowed left a knoll 
Conspicuous far and wide. There Pentheus stood, 
And with unholy eye upon the rite 850 

Mysterious gazed. Agave's glance was first 
To mark him : — first, with frenzy fired her hand 
The thyrsus whirled, and, by a mother's blow 
First wounded bled the son ! " Io ! " she yelled, 
" Io ! help, sisters both ! The Boar is here 855 

" That wastes our fields ! Help me the boar to slay ! " 
With answering yell around him swarms the band 
Shrieking and striking ! Trembling, all too late 
He sees and owns his error : — abject now 
He prays, who threatened late : — " Autonoe ! save 860 

" Thy sister's child ! — Is then Action's fate 
" So soon forgotten 1 " Yain appeal ! That name 
She knows not now, but, as he prays, she lops 
From his shorn side his better hand : — the left 
By Ino's stroke is severed : — neither now 865 

May serve his parent's pity to implore ! 
Yet still he rears his trunk dismembered — " See, 
" Mother ! " he shrieks, " 'tis I, thy son ! " Fierce howled 
Agave at the sight : — frantic her head 
She waved, and, — all her tresses to the winds 870 

Wild streaming, — on him rushed, and with red hand 
Tore from the mangled trunk his head ! " Eejoice ! " 
She yells — " Eejoice ! The victory at last 
" Is ours ! " — And, as the autumn wind the leaves. 
Loosened with early frost, from branch and twig 875 



IOO 



STORY OF PENTHEUS. 



[Book III. 



Whirls scattered, so his body, limb from limb, 
By that mad rout lay piecemeal rent and torn. 

So, by that lesson taught, the maids of Thebes 
The might of Bacchus learned, till now unknown, 
And on his altars smoked their incense due. 



880 



THE 



METAMORPHOSES 



OF 



PUBLIUS OVIDIUS NASO 



BOOK IV. 



I 



THE METAMORPHOSES. 



BOOK IV. 

I. One yet, of Minyan blood, Alcitboe, dared 
His rites decry, boldly bis birtb from Jove 
Disputing, — and to like impiety 
Her sisters won. To solemn festival 

Tbe Priest bad summoned all tbe folk, and bade 5 

Mistress and maid tbeir daily tasks lay by, 
And don tbe furry vest, and from tbeir bair 
Tbe fillet doff, for garland, loosely wreatbed 
Amid its floating tresses, and in band 
Tbe ivied tbyrsus bear, or dread tbe wratb 1 o 

Avenging of tbe sligbted Deity. 
Matron and maid obey bim. Idle lie 
Tbe basket and tbe loom's unfinisbed work : 
And, 'mid tbe fume of incense piled, tbe God 
By all bis names tbey greet. Baccbus ! tbey bail, 1 5 

And Bromius ! Son of Fire ! Begotten twice, 
Twice born ! Tbyoneus of tbe downy cbeek 
Unrazored ! Kyseus ! and Lyaeus ! Lord 
And Autbor of tbe kindly gladsome grape ! 



104 ALCITHOE AND HER SISTERS. [Book IV. 

Nyctelius ! and Iacchus ! Eleleus ! 20 

And Evan ! and whatever title else 

Of honour all the varying tongues of Greece 

Allow thee, Liber ! Thou, whom youthful bloom 

Unfading decks, perpetual Boy ! — in Heaven 

Eairest among the Gods, and when thy brow 25 

That horned badge of Amnion's blood not wears, 

A very Girl in beauty ! Thee the East 

Its Victor owns, far as the extremest wave 

Of Ganges laves the shores of swarthy Ind ! 

Thy wrath it was, awful Lord ! that smote 30 

Pentheus, and rash Lycurgus with his axe 

Unhallowed ! — 'twas thy power to fishes changed 

Those Tuscan mariners. Thou know'st to rule 

The golden-harnessed leopard pair, that drag 

The chariot, round whose wheels the Bacchants throng 35 

And Satyrs, and Silenus old, — his steps 

With wine uncertain hardly with his staff 

Sustained, or with huge effort on the ass 

That bears him balanced. Wheresoe'er thou mov'st 

Round thee the youthful chorus rings, the chant 40 

Of women swells, the clashing cymbal clangs, 

And shrill with lengthened hollow pipes the flute. 

Kindly and gracious look on us ! — So prayed 

The daughters of the Theban state. But close 

The Minyads sate within, and with their toils 45 

Marred obstinate the festival, and wound 

The skein, and plied the loom, and ceaseless wove 

The pattern, and their hand-maids to like thrift 

Unsparing urged. But one, as with light hand 

Her thread she drew, stopped sudden, and, " While thus," 



Book IV.] PYRAMUS AND THISBE. 105 

She said, " the idle rout upon these rites 5 1 

" ^Newfangled gapes, why should not we, who serve 

" "With worthier work Minerva's worthier power, 

"With various legend ease our toil, and each 

" In turn recite some story, which our task 55 

" May lighten, and more quickly speed the hours 1 " 

All the proposal hailed, and her the first 

The sisters bade begin. But she what tale 

Of all her store — for many a tale she knew, — 

Doubted to choose : — whether of Dercetis 60 

The Babylonian, still in scaly form 

Believed to haunt the lakes of Palestine ; — 

Or how her greater daughter soared transformed 

To Dove, and on the gleaming turret-tops 

Wore out the years yet left her : — how, by spell 65 

Of magic chant or potent herb, the youth 

WTio loved her Xais into voiceless fish 

Changed cruel, till herself like fate o'ertook : — 

Or how the tree, whose fruit of old was white, 

To purple changed its berries tinged with blood. 70 

This last, less known, she chose, and, as the wool 

She plied with nimble finger, thus began. 

II. " Thisbe and Pyramus, through all the East 
" Of youths and maidens fairest far, in homes 
" Contiguous, in that Town whose walls of brick 7 5 

" Fame to Semiramis ascribes, were born, 
" And grew; and neighbourhood acquaintance bred, 
" And Time to Love acquaintance warmed, and Love 
" To wedlock-rite aspired. But either Sire 
" Forbade what Sire could never yet forbid. 80 



106 PYRAMUS AND THISBE. [Book IV. 

" An equal passion fired the pair : — no need 
" Of confidant or go-between : — a look, 
" A gesture served in lieu of speech : — the flame 
" Closely confined, confined more fiercely burned. 

" It chanced that in the wall which house from house 
" Divided, by the careless architect 86 

" O'erlooked, a chink there ran, for years unmarked 
" Of either household. But the eyes of Love 
" Are quick to see : — Ye saw it, loving pair ! 
" And through that narrow channel, unobserved, 90 

" Passed many a whisper sweet and murmured vow, 
" And many a passionate breath by each was caught, 
" On this side or on that. .' Oh ! envious wall ! ' 
" So would they chide. ' Why thus two lovers true 
" ' Dissever? Why these arms, which long to clasp 95 
" ' Each other, thwart 1 or not sufficient space 
" ' Eor meeting lips allow ? But for thus much 
" ' We thank thee, not ungrateful, that what bliss 
" ' Is ours to thee we owe, and Love in words 
" ' At least may speak ! ' — so ran their idle plaint, 100 

" And with the eve came parting, and farewell, 
" And empty kisses pressed on either side 
" That never met. Soon as the shades of Mght 
" Aurora scattered, and the Sun from herb 
" And leaf the rime had melted, there they met : 105 

" And, when first interchange of whispered vow 
" And plaint had passed, resolved, when sleep should bind 
" The eyes of either household, with swift flight 
" Silent their homes to quit, and leave behind 
" The city : — and, lest each the other miss no 

" In idle wanderings lost, at Ninus > tomb 



Book IV.] PYRAMUS AXD THISBE. 1 07 

" Their trysting-place they fixed. The spot a fount 

" Cool falling, and an ancient mulberry, 

" Bending with weight of snowy hemes, marked. 

" So, plighting faith, they parted. Slow the day 115 

" Seemed in the waye to sink, and slow the night 

" Seemed from the wave to rise. But, with the dark, 

" Noiseless the maiden's hand the portal's holt 

" "Withdrew, nor waked one sleeper. Veiled she passed, 

" And through the darkness to the tomb and tree 120 

" Appointed held her way : — Loye gave her force. 

" But, at that very time, a lioness, 

" Dripping with gore of slaughtered oxen, sought 

" The fount ; and Thisbe, as the beast she saw 

" Clear in the moonlight, to a cave which stood 125 

" Hard by in terror flying, in her flight 

" Her mantle dropped. The lioness, — her thirst 

" With copious draught assuaged — and to her lair 

" Returning, — saw the robe, and tossed, and tore, 

" And marked with crimson stain. Kow to the tryst 130 

" Comes Pyramus, and white with terror sees 

" The savage foot-prints in the sand, and finds 

" The gory garment. ' Then one night,' he cries, 

" ' Shall end us both I Ah ! longer, happier days 

" ' Thou should'st have seen, my Thisbe ! That I live 135 

" ■ Is guilt ! 'Tis I have murdered thee ! 'Twas I, 

" ' I, thoughtless of the danger and the dark, 

" ' Who bade thee seek this fatal spot, nor first 

" ' Was here from harm to guard thee ! Drag me too 

" ' Te Hons to your lair, and hmb from limb 140 

" ' With ravening jaw this guilty body rend ! 

" ' Cowards may pray for death; — the braver soul 



108 PYRAMUS AND THISBE. [Book IV. 

" ' Commands it ! ' To the trysting-tree he hore 

" With many a tear, and many a kiss, the robe 

" Familiar, and ' My blood, mine too,' he cried, 145 

" ' Must stain thee deeper yet ! ' and from his side 

" He snatched and in his bosom plunged his sword, 

" And, as his dying hand the steel withdrew, 

" Forth like a fountain gushed the blood, — as spirts 

" From conduit-pipe the flood, what time its force 150 

" To bursting wears the channel's leaden side, — 

" And spouted high in air. The deadly spray 

" Darkened the pendent berries, and the tree 

" Soaked to its root in gore, with answering hue 

" Thenceforth of crimson tinged the fruit it bore. 155 

" But now, all trembling yet, in fear to miss 

" Her lover, back comes Thisbe, and around 

" With anxious glances seeks, and burns to tell 

" What danger late she ran. Is this the tree 

" She left 1 What change is this % These berries sure 160 

" Are darker far. So hesitating, — stretched 

" On earth, and throbbing yet, that bleeding form 

" Catches her eye, and back she starts, with cheek 

" Paler than box-leaf, and through all her frame 

" A shudder thrills — such shiver as the breast 165 

" Of Ocean stirs, when some unlooked-for breeze 

" Wrinkles its glassy surface. AH too soon 

" She knows her Love, and wild with piercing cry 

" Her snowy bosom beats, and scattering wide 

" Her tresses rent, and flinging round the corse 170 

" Her white arms, — mingling with his blood her tears, 

" As if her grief might stanch its flow, with kiss 

" On kiss — ah ! vainly on that icy cheek 



Book IV.] PYRAMUS AND THISBE. I(X) 

" Imprinted, ' Pyramus ! ' she shrieks, ' what chance 
" l Thus robs me of thee 1 Pyramus ! look up 175 

" ' And answer me ! hear me ! speak ! 'Tis I, 
u 1 >^ s Thisbe calls ! ' He heard the name, and strove 
" Feebly his dying eyes to raise, and saw 
" Yet once again his Love, and with the sight 
" Closed them for ever. But that mantle red 180 

" With gore, that scabbard void of sword, too well 
" Told all the tale — ' 'Twas then thy proper hand, 
" ' Thy Love,' she cried, ' that brought thee to this end 
" ' Unhappy ! But mine own, though weak it be, 
" ' Can imitate thy deed ! I too have loved, 185 

" ' And Love will give me strength enough to die ! 
" ' Por think not I survive thee ! She who caused 
" ' Thy death, will share it, and the only Pate 
" ' That had the power to part us, joins us yet. 
" * This only, ye wretched Sires who gave 190 

" ' To either birth, our dying breath implores : — 
" ' Grudge not to those whom Love and Death con- 
joined 
" ' Such union still, and grant one common tomb ! 
" ' And thou, tree, beneath whose shadow lies 
" ' One hapless corse, where two shall lie ere long, 195 

" ' Live thou our story's evidence, and bear 
" ' With fruit of darksome hue, for sorrow meet, 
" ' Pternal witness of our double doom ! ' 
" She said, and, pointed to her breast, drove deep 
" The blade yet reeking with that earlier Death. 200 

" And Gods and Parents heard her prayer. The tree 
" With blackest fruit yet teems ; and what the Pyre 
" Left unconsumed rests mingled in one Urn." 



110 LEUCOTHOE AND APOLLO. [Book IV. 

III. She ceased, and, with short pause, Leuconoe next 
Took up the tale, — and all the rest were still. 205 

" Yon God," she said, " whose lustre regulates 
" The life and labour of the World, hath known 
" What 'tis to love. That Love shall be my theme. 
" He first, 'tis said, the adulterous commerce spied 
" Of Mars and Yenus : — like enough — for first 210 

" What may be seen he sees : — and angry bore 
" To the wronged son of Jupiter the tale 
" Of his dishonoured bed, and where and when 
" To prove it, showed. Astounded Yulcan stood, 
" And from his grasp whatever handiwork 215 

" He held, let fall : — but, quickly rousing, wrought 
" Strange network, chain and link and mesh of steel, 
" So delicate that scarce might eye perceive 
" Its substance ; — finest thread, or subtlest web 
" Of spider pendent from the roof, compared 220 

" Showed coarse and clumsy; — flexible to yield 
" To lightest touch or pressure : — and around 
" The chamber spread the snare. The Lovers sought 
" The wonted couch, and, as with guilty clasp 
" They met, upon them closed the toils. The God 225 
" Flung wide the ivory doors, and all the Powers 
" Of Heaven to witness summoned. There they lay 
" Embracing. ' Ah ! ' some God of livelier turn 
" Cried sudden — ' would 'twere I to be so shamed ! ' 
" And all the rest in laughter broke, — and long 230 

" The tale found raciest gossip for the skies. 

" But Cythereia vows revenge : — in turn 
" The Informer who that lawless love betrayed 
" By Love must smart. Nor form, nor heat, nor ray, 



Book IV.] LEUCOTHOE AND APOLLO. 1 1 1 

" Hyperion's child, may help thee here ! The globe 235 

" AYho burns with fire, with novel fire himself 

" Must burn : — the impartial gaze which oyer all 

" Should watch alike, one virgin figure now 

" Engrosses, and Leucothoe only claims 

" The eyes thou ow'st the world. Earlier to rise, 240 

" Later to set, — what reck'st thou of the chill 

" Of winter-day prolonged, so longer thou 

" That beauty canst behold ? till faint, thy face 

" Partakes the weakness of thy soul, and fades 

" And terrifies with sudden ]N"ight the World. 245 

" They err who say that Luna, 'twixt thy orb 

" And Earth intruding, pales thee : — 'tis with Love 

" Thy cheeks are wan : — such love as never yet 

" Or Clymene, or Ehodos, or who gave 

" iEaean Circe birth, or Clytie, — now 250 

" Despised but loving still, — within thy soul 

" Awoke : — such wound, as never in that breast 

" Till now hath smarted. 'Tis Leucothoe drives 

" From memory all those earlier loves of thine, — 

" Leucothoe, whom Eurynome, the flower 255 

" Of all Arabia's perfumed daughters, bore, 

" Erelong as far her Mother's fame to pass 

" Eor beauty, as her Mother passed the rest. 

" Her father, Orchamus, from Belus seventh 

" In line, the cities ruled, which in old time 260 

" Achsemenes had swayed : and 'neath those skies 

" Were stalled the horses of the Sun, with food 

" Ambrosial nourished, so their daily force 

" Expended for the morrow to renew. 

" 'Twas Xight, — and now the heavenly nutriment 265 



112 LEUCOTHOE AND APOLLO. [Book IV. 

" The heavenly steeds recruited, — when the God, 

" Veiled in the semblance of Eurynome 

" Her mother, sought her bower. Her hand-maids twelve 

" Sate spinning by the portal. With such kiss 

" As mothers use the Maid he greets. ' Give place ! 270 

" ' Damsels ! ' he cries — ' a mother with her child 

" ' "Would speak what fits not other ears to hear. 

" ' Leave us to talk alone ! ' They went, and left 

" Phoebus within. ' That God am I,' he cried, 

" ' Who measure out the year, — who all things see, — 275 

" l Myself the eye of the world, whereby all things 

" ' It sees. I love thee!' — From her trembling hand 

" Distaff and spindle dropped : — but fear itself 

" Her charms enhanced. Instant the God resumed 

" His wonted form and beauty. How should Maid 280 

" By such great presence awed, by suit like this 

" Solicited, resist] — The field was won 

" Unf ought. But jealous Clytie heard the tale, 

" Clytie, for whom but late with fiercest fire 

" The God had burned; and, impotent to brook 285 

" A rival, published wide her shame, and bore 

" To the Sire's ears the scandal. Stern he heard 

" And ruthless. Madly to the Sun she flung 

" Her hands appealing — ' Let Himself,' she cried, 

" ' Confess, he forced me ! ' All was vain ! Alive 290 

" They dragged her to her grave, and o'er her form 

" Yet warm and breathing heaped the smothering earth. 

" Too late Hyperion's son that sentence knew, 

" And scattered wide the clods that held her down, 

" And tore to light the buried corse : — no more 295 

" The head he loved that bloodless corse could raise. 



Book IV.] CLYTIE TURNED TO A FLOWER. 113 

" Since Phaeton was blasted, never sight, 

" They say, to deeper anguish moved the God 

" "Who guides the steeds of Day. Not all the heat 

" Of all his rays avails that frigid form 300 

" To warm anew to life. The Fates forbid 

" The effort. But, upon the spot which held 

" The cold remains, a copious shower he pours 

" Of Nectar, and, deep-sighing, l To the skies 

" ' Yet shalt thou rise !' he said. The body's frame 305 

" Dissolved in that celestial flood : — the Earth 

" Sweet odours breathed; and gradual from the tomb 

" A slender plant its head upreared, and filled 

" With spicy fragrance all the air around. 

TV. " Eut never more, — though Love for Eage might plead 
" Excuse, and Eage for fault, — the Lord of Day 311 

" To Clytie came in kindness ; — never more 
" His arms embraced her. From that hour she pined 
" Unloved, yet madly loving, — nor endured 
" The converse of her fellows ; day and night 315 

" Upon the bare cold Earth bare-headed couched, 
" Unkempt, and motionless. So nine long days 
" And nights she lay. Nor crumb of food, nor drop 
" Of water touched her lips, save the dank dews 
" Of Heaven and her own tears : — her failing gaze 320 

" Fixed ever on the passing God, his course 
" Following athwart the sky. So Earth, they say, 
" Wnereon she lay, her pallid form absorbed 
" And in pale leaf renewed and flower, — nor pale 
" Throughout, but with a tender purple tinged 325 

" And like to violet in its hue, — whose root, 

H 



1 14 SALMACIS AND HERMAPHRODITUS. [Book IV. 

" Fixed, yet allows it with the turning Sun 

" To turn, and still, so changed, its Love declare." 

V. So ran Leuconoe's tale, — and all who heard 
Marvelled : — these deemed it false ; and those the power 
Of Gods sufficient for such wonder held, — 331 
Gods old and true — not Gods like Bacchus there ! 

And next Alcithoe, for her sisters twain 

Held silence, plying still with nimble hand 

The shuttle, spoke. " I pass " — she said — " the tale 335 

" Of Daphnis by the jealous nymph to stone 

" On Ida turned — (such rage hath passion scorned : — ) 

VI. " And Scython's doubtful sex, now held for man, 
" For woman now, as varying Nature changed : — 

VII. " And Celmis, erst of youthful Jove beloved, 340 
" A statue now : — how from the rains of Heaven 

VIII. " The Cretan race was born : — and to what flowers 
" Crocos and Smilax both together bloomed 

" Transformed : — a newer tale may better please. 

IX. " Whence sprang the evil fame of Salmacis 345 
" Yet noted, — why her weakening waves unman 

" The limbs they touch, — listen and learn. The cause 

" Few know, but all the effect. On Ida's slopes 

" The Naiads in their caverns nursed the child 

" Of Aphrodite erst to Hermes born, 350 

" In lineament and feature, as in name, 

" Expressing either Parentage. For years 



Book IV.] SALMAQIS AND HERMAPHRODITUS. 1 1 5 

1 Thrice five content amid those fostering shades 

' He grew ; — but then the roaming fancy seized 

' And urged him forth, wherever unexplored 355 

1 Lay realm, or river rolled untracked : — the joy 

' Of travel paid the toil. So, through the towns 

' Of Lycia journeying, o'er the Carian bounds 

* He passed, and halted by a fountain's marge 

' Pellucid to its depths ; nor barren sedge, 360 

' Nor water-flag, nor spear of tapering reed 

' Its glassy surface broke, — but round its brim 

' The soft turf sloped with herbage ever green. 

' A Nymph its waters haunted, — not of those 

' Who bend the bow, or swift of foot the deer 365 

' Pursue, — alone of all the Naiad band 

' In Dian's train not counted. Oft the maid 

' Her sisters urged — ' Pie ! Salmacis ! With us 

' ' Javelin and quiver take, and in the chase 

' ' Shake off this idle languor!' — Never she 370 

' Javelin or quiver took, but in the fount 

1 Now laved her delicate limbs, or now with comb 

1 Sleeking her locks, in that fair mirror learned 

' What order best became them. Lightly clad 

' On couch of leaves, or softest grass, she lay, 375 

1 Or flowers herself had gathered. Gathering flowers, 

1 The youth she saw, and burned for ; but, his steps 

1 Eager to meet, not crossed, till first she draped 

* In seemly fold her mantle, and her locks 

' Artful composed and marshalled all her charms. 380 

' ' loveliest Boy ! ' — she cried — ' whose form some God 
1 ' Betokens sure — if mortal, blest are they 
1 ' The Parents both who gave thee birth, and blest 



Il6 SALMACIS AND HERMAPHRODITUS. [Book IV. 

" ' Thy brothers and thy sisters, if such kin 

" ' Thou hast, and blest the Nurse who at her breast 385 

" ' Suckled thine infant lips ! — More blest than all 

" ' She whom thy love may hail thy bride ! — If such 

" ' There live — might I be happy in her wrong ! 

" ' If not — might I be such ! My husband be ! ' 

" O'er all his cheek the crimson flushed, what Love 390 
" Might mean unknowing yet; — but so the blush 
" Became him, as the colour to the fruit 
" Eipening gives beauty, — so the ivory glows 
" With Tyrian purple tinged, — so Luna's face 
" Through paleness reddens, when the cymbal's clang 395 
" With idle help would aid her labouring hour. 
" ' Nay, grant me then at least a Brother's kiss ! ' 
" She cries, and round his ivory neck her arms 
" Would fling embracing : — but the Boy ' Desist ! ' 
" Exclaims — ' or straight the spot and thee I quit ! ' 400 
" The threat alarms the nymph. ' Nay — rest thee here 
" ' Fair Guest ! ' she cried, and, slow retiring, still 
" With glance behind her cast, made show to leave 
" The place, and in the neighbouring thicket crouched, 
" And watched him still. But, boylike, he now here 405 
" Now there the spot explores, and, unobserved — 
" Or so he thinks — tries with unsandalled foot 
" The margin of the fount, and now, allured 
" By the fresh coolness, doffs his vest, and stands 
" Exposed in all his beauty. On the sight 410 

" Inflamed looked Salmacis, with eyes that glowed 
" As glows the orb of Phoebus back to Heaven 
" From mirror bright reflected. Passionate 
" She gazes, scarce forbearing with quick rush 



Book IV.] SALMACIS AND HERMAPHRODITUS. 11/ 

" To clasp him as lie stands, and in those arms 415 

" Sigh ont the love that maddens all her soul. 

" Clapping his sides, the Boy with sudden plunge 

" Dives in the fount, and now to right now left 

" His lithe arms plying swims, below the wave 

" Seen fair as ivory statue, cased in glass, 420 

" And white as lily of the silver lake. 

" ' Row art thou mine ! ' she cries, and swift disrobed 

" Springs after in the flood, and clasps the form 

" That struggles vainly for release, and wrests 

" Unwilling kisses from his lips, and holds 425 

" Prisoned his hands, and, breast to bosom pressed, 

" Embracing clings and clips him. When the bird 

" Of Jove aloft hath borne some serpent, so 

" The pendent reptile, upward writhing, twines 

" Bound beak and claw, and with strong coiling tail 430 

" Fetters and baffles all his breadth of wings : — 

" So clings the ivy to the forest oak : — 

" So clutches with encircling tentacles 

" The Polypus his prey. But still the Boy 

" Eesists, nor all her fire avails to wake 435 

" Besponsive warmth, nor all his force to loose 

" The clasp that to her body locks his own 

" ' Ah ! obstinate ! ' — she cries — ' Strive as thou wilt, 

" ' Xever I let thee go ! I would the Gods 

" ' Por ever thus would link us ! ' — Gods there were, 440 

" It seemed, who heard ; for, as she spoke, her form 

" With his incorporate blent : — the Two were One 

" In single shape united ! — Thus the slip 

" Blends grafted with the stock, thenceforth to grow 

" Part of itself. So, strangely fused, the pair 445 



Il8 ALCITHOE AND HER SISTERS [Book IV. 

" Nor two nor one appeared. ISTor boy nor maid 

" Distinct was there : — neither, yet both, It seemed ! 

" But thus when he, who in the wave a Man 

" Had sprung, found half his manhood lost, and felt 

" His feebler force of limb, — with trebler voice 450 

" Than fits a male, — his suppliant hands he raised, 

" And ' '—he cried,—' Mother and Sire ! Gods both, 

" ' Who gave Hermaphroditus birth and name, 

" ' Grant him this too ! and let what man soe'er 

" ' Bathes after in this flood, come forth, as I, 455 

" ' Weak, womanish, but half a man ! ' So prayed, 

" Doubtful or double now of sex, the youth ; 

" And either Parent heard, and at his prayer 

" Gave to the fount the mystic power it owns." 

X. So closed their tales : — and still the Minyads plied 
Their toil, and scorned the God, and mocked his feast. 46 1 
When sudden round their heads with fearful clang 
Invisible cymbals seemed to clash, and horn 
To blow, and trump to bray. A gust of myrrh 
And crocus filled the place, and, — prodigy 465 

Well-nigh too strange for credence, — sudden green 
Of ivy woof and warp o'erspread : — the wool 
Budded in twig and leaf : — the threads they drew 
In tendrils curled; — and berry and bunch of vine 
O'er all the loom in purple clusters glowed. 470 

'Twas at that twilight hour, nor day nor night, 
When light and darkness meet. The massive walls 
Bocked as with Earthquake ; — glare of lamp and torch 
Through all the palace flamed; — and fearful shapes 
Of spectral beasts around them seemed to howl ! 475 



Book IV.] TURNED TO BATS. 119 

Trembling the Sisters separate fly, and each, 

Apart, some lurking-place by that fierce blaze 

Unlighted strives to gain. But, as she bides, 

Strange, delicate, membranous, a subtle film 

Her shrunken limbs o'erspreads, with thinnest down 480 

Clothing her wing-like arms. How all the change 

Was wrought of shape and nature, not themselves 

Could, in the darkness, tell ; — the change alone 

They know. No feathers have they, yet they fly 

Borne on transparent pinions. For all speech, 485 

Such twitter as their tiny form befits 

Must serve them now. With feeblest shriek their plaint 

They utter; nor in woods, but round the roofs 

And haunts of men flit nightly : — foes to Noon, 

And friends of Eve, — of Vesper justly named. 490 

XI. So through all Thebes the fame of Bacchus spread 
And waxed, — and Ino far and wide proclaimed 
Her Nephew's might. Of all her Sisters, she 
Alone no grief had known, save such as touched 
Through them herself. But now, her insolence 495 

Of Motherhood, and Queenly place by side 
Of Athamas, and the pround vaunt that claimed 
A God her nursling, Juno brooked no more. 
" The Harlot-born I " — she cried — " And shall He whelm 
" And change in Ocean that Mseonian crew, — 500 

" Bid a mad mother's hands infuriate tear 
" The vitals of her child, — and to strange flight 
" The metamorphosed Minyads doom, — and I, 
" Juno, be powerless save to weep my wrongs % 
" Must I with that content me 1 Is that all 505 



1 20 INO AND MELICERTA [Book IV. 

" My privilege ? — Himself instructs me. Foes 

" From foes may learn a lesson ! How the force 

" Of frenzy works, too well the bloody fate 

" Of Pentheus hath declared. Why should not she 

" Be stirred to equal rage, and emulate 510 

" Herself the mad examples of her Kin? " 

A way there is that to the nether World 
Slopes downward, — silent, — dark with noxious yew, — 
By Stygian vapours dull o'erhung ; — by this 
The shades of those, whom recent sepulture 515 

Descent allows, descend : — whereof deprived 
Ignorant they wander, nor the path may find 
To Hades and the gloomy realm of Dis. 
White, as with winter, lies the dreary road. 
To the dark city of Styx a thousand paths 52° 

Conduct ; its gates stand open all around : 
And, even as Ocean all the river-floods 
Of Earth absorbs, so all the souls that erst 
Were Men are gathered there. Its space for all 
Suffices, — by whatever throng may come 525 

Uncrowded. Bloodless, boneless, bodiless, 
The phantoms through it roam. The Forum some, 
The infernal Palace some frequent : — what art 
In life they practised most, with empty show 
Of imitation, ply. The rest the doom, 530 

Their evil deeds on Earth have won, endure. 

Not all its terrors from that path the Queen 
Of Jove deterred ; — such spur have wrath and hate. 
Downward from Heaven she sped. The Hound of Hell 
The sacred presence on the threshold saw, 535 

And reared his triple head, and thrice at once 



Book IV.] MADE SEA-GODS. 121 

Howled greeting. Straight the daughters of old Night, 

Dread Sister-powers, severe, implacahle, 

She sought, where, by a dungeon-door, fast closed 

With bars of adamant, they sate, and combed 540 

The black snakes from their brows. They, as they knew 

Amid the gloom the Goddess, reverent rose. 

" The Place of Crime " that spot was called. There, spread 

O'er nine wide acres, Tityus groaning gave 

His entrails to the vultures. — From the lips 545 

Of Tantalus the baffling waters slipped, 

The mocking fruit was blown. — Ixion there 

Whirled ever, self pursuing and pursued, 

Upon his restless wheel. — The Belides, 

Eed with their cousin-husbands' blood, their urns 550 

Dipped ceaseless, never hlled. — Saturnia's glance 

Marked all, but longest on Ixion dwelt. 

Turning from him to Sisyphus, — " Of all 

" His Brothers," cried she, " Why should this alone 

" Perpetual pangs endure, and Athamas, 555 

" With that proud wife of his, in regal state 

" Me and my power contemn 1 " — With this, the cause 

She opens of her journey and her hate, 

And what the boon she from the Sisters seeks, — 

How Cadmus' house may fall, and Athamas 560 

May perish, plunged in ruin and in crime. 

With promise and with prayer, imperious both, 

Her cruel suit she pressed. Tisiphone 

Shook her dishevelled locks, and from her brows 

The blinding snakes flung back. " Whate'er thou wilt," 

She said, — " without more idle waste of words, 566 

" Conclude it done ! and to a purer air 



122 INO AND MELICERTA [Book IV. 

" Than ours from this unlovely realm return." 
Gladly the Goddess turned : — and, at Heaven's gate 
Thaumantian Iris met her, and with dew 570 

Of lustral water sprinkled as she passed. 
Nor long Tisiphone delays, with torch 
Blood-steeped, and mantle red with dripping gore, 
Girdled with twining serpents, from the realm 
Of darkness issuing forth. Sorrow her steps 575 

And Fear, and Terror, and the restless eye 
Of Madness close attend. Her dread approach 
The iEolian palace felt, and through its range 
Of columns trembled; — all its portals, white 
With maple, paler grew. The Sun his beams 580 

"Withdrew. Astonished at such portent, forth 
Sprang Ino and her Lord; but at the gate 
The Fury barred their passage. Wide she spread 
Her arms with viperous bracelet wreathed, and shook 
Her fearful locks ; and, from her brows, and o'er 585 

Her shoulders, hissed the angered snakes, and spat 
Eed venom from their nickering tongues. Of these 
Two from her head she rends, and at the breast 
Of each hurls baneful. Sound the pair they cling 
And curl, and with no visible bite infuse 590 

Their fury; — 'tis the mind alone they wound. 
ISTor this is all. With liquid poison armed 
She comes, compounded of all horrors, — foam 
Wiped from the jaws of Cerberus, or shed 
From fell Echidna's maw, — all wanderings wild 595 

Of soul, — Oblivion's darkness, — crimes and tears 
And rage and thirst of slaughter, — with fresh blood 
Commingled all and blent, — and with green juice 



Book IV.] MADE SEA-GODS. 1 23 

Of hemlock new-distilled : — and o'er them both 

This too she flings, and to the inmost heart 600 

Of each the venom speeds, and last, her torch 

Around them wild, in blazing orb of flame 

Continuous whirling, sight and sense confounds : 

And so, her errand done, the shadowy realms 

Of Dis returning seeks, and for a while 605 

Unclasps the twining serpents of her zone. 

But frantic now the son of iEolus 
Through all his palace raged. " Io ! " he shouts — 
" Quick comrades, with your toils ! a Lioness 
" "With her twin whelps within this forest lurks ! 610 

" Lo ! there she prowls ! " And frenzied on his spouse 
He springs, and from the mother's bosom tears 
The infant, that with innocent hands outstretched 
Smiles on his Sire — Learchus, — and, like stone 
In sling, round spins him twice and once, and whirls 615 
Against a flinty rock the baby-limbs 
Mangled and crushed. But Ino, by that sight 
Of horror, or the venom late infused, 
To equal fury fired, with sudden howl 
Fled maddened : — wild behind her streamed her hair. 620 
The child yet left her, Melicerta, high 
Aloft her bare arms bore. " Evohe ! " she shrieked, 
" Evohe ! Bacchus ! " — Juno heard the name 
And laughed to hear : — " So let the Xursling pay 
" His JSurse ! " she said. High o'er the Deep a cliff 625 
Projecting frowned : — its base the waves had scooped 
And arched in dome of shelter, where no shower 
Of Heaven could penetrate : — its beetling brow 
The middle sea o'erhung. That dizzy height, 



124 THE THEBAN MATRONS PETRIFIED. [Book IV. 

"With, strength and speed by madness lent, the Queen 630 

Surmounting, with herself the child she bore 

Dashed fearless in the flood below. The waves 

Foamed white beneath the shock. But Yenus saw 

Her grandchild's fate unmerited, and sought 

"With flattering prayer the Brother of her Sire. 635 

" Great God of Seas !" she said, " whose sway next Jove's 

" Rules widest, hear me ! 'tis no trivial boon 

" I ask of thee. Have pity on my race, — 

" For mine they are, whom yon Ionian flood 

" Whelms drowning in its depths, — and to thy train 640 

" Immortal add them ! — I, who from the foam 

" Of Ocean sprang, and from such birth my name 

" In Greece most honoured take, from Ocean sure 

" Such grace may claim ! " Old Neptune heard the prayer 

And granted. What was mortal into God 645 

He changed, and clothed them with new form, and name, 

And honour, such as Deity befits, 

And her Leucothoe, him Palsemon, called. 

With all the speed they could upon her track 
The Theban matrons followed, to the verge 650 

Marked with her latest foot-print. Of her fate 
No doubt could linger more. With tresses torn 
And mantle rent the fall of Cadmus' house 
They wailed, and for too cruel, too unjust 
The jealous spouse of Jove arraigned. Such blame 655 
She brooked not. " Cruel am 1 1 Then yourselves 
" Shall next approve me so ! " The threat and doom 
Together fell. Of all the band the first 
And faithfullest — " My Mistress in yon waves 
" Be mine to follow ! " shrieked, and would have leaped 






Book IV.] CADMUS CHANGED TO A SERPENT. 1 25 

And could not ! Booted to the cliff she stood! 661 

A second sudden felt the arms that strove 

To beat her breast grow rigid. This her hands 

Spread to the Sea appealing, and her hands 

In marble fixed were spread. This tore her locks, 665 

And in her locks her stony fingers froze. 

All gesture and all motion, as they stood, 

Was petrified. A few, to birds transformed, 

Still haunt the cliff and skim the flood below. 

But so his child, and hers, to Demi-Gods ' 670 

Translated Cadmus knew not. Grief on grief 
Following, and all the portents that his life 
Had witnessed, wore him down. Some angry God 
It seemed, that spared himself, his realm had cursed. 
And, from the walls his hand had raised, the Chief 675 
Self-exiled, with his spouse, through many lands 
Long wandering, at the last Ulyria reached : 
Where, as, with age and sorrow bowed, the pair 
The fate and fortunes of their house reviewed, — 
" And if that Snake" — he said — "which erst my spear 680 
" Transfixed, when flying from the Tyrian shore, 
" The novel seed of dragon-teeth I sowed, 
" Was sacred, and for that the wrath of Heaven 
" Thus pitiless pursues me, — in such shape 
" May I a serpent crawl ! " He spoke, and straight 685 
A serpent crawled ! Skin crusted into scale, — 
Blue spots distained its darkened hue, — and prone 
On Earth he grovelled, with uniting legs 
Blent in a tapering tail. Nor yet his arms 
Were lost, and those he raised, and down his cheeks 690 
Still human gushed the tears. "Ah! hapless spouse!" 



126 BIRTH AND STORY OF PERSEUS. [Book IV. 

He cried — " Ah ! fly me not ! while still this hand 

" May feel thy pressure, press it ! One embrace 

" Give yet while aught of man is left, nor all 

" This bestial form usurps!" Nor more his tongue 695 

Cloven could speak : — words failed him, and a hiss 

Came only in their place : — such voice alone 

Was natural now. " Alas!" she shrieks, and beats 

Her breast — " Stay ! Cadmus, stay ! What horrid change 

" Transforms thee thus? Resist it! What is tins'? 700 

" Limb, form, and feature fail thee ! As I gaze 

" Thou vanishest ! — Then me too, ye Gods, 

" Change to like shape !" He, as she spoke, her face 

Licked harmless, and with fond familiar coil 

Eound the loved neck and bosom twined. Aghast 705 

Their train the portent saw. But both — for both 

Were Serpents now — with gesture amicable 

Of head and lucent neck, their terrors seemed 

To deprecate, and glided interlaced 

Beneath the neighbouring forest's sheltering shade. 7 t o 

There still they dwell, and, mindful what they were, 
Nor shun the face of man, nor work him harm. 

Much solace too, even in that altered shape, 
To both their grandchild gave : — the Victor-Lord 
Of India, honoured now with fane and rite 715 

Through all Achaian realms, save one. Alone 
Acrisius yet, of Abas' line, despite 
His kindred, blood, and lineage, obstinate 
Against him barred his Argive gates, and dared 
Withstand the God, and all his claim to birth 720 

From Jupiter deny; — like origin 
Even as before to Perseus he denied, 



Book IV.] ATLAS CHANGED TO A MOUNTAIN. 12J 

Conceived of Danae in that golden shower: 

Though for both God and Grandchild so disclaimed 

Repentance came ere long, when Truth had right, 725 

And this his place in Heaven assumed, — and that, 

Proud with the Gorgon Monster's snaky spoil, 

The yielding air with resonant pinions clave : 

And still, as o'er the Libyan wastes he soared, 

Each crimson drop that from it fell the sands 730 

Warmed into life; — and with perennial brood 

Of various serpents all the Desert teemed. 

Thence, like some watery cloud of Heaven, by winds 
Discordant driven, now here, now there, aloft 
Through aether borne, he views the ample field 735 

Of Earth below, and thrice the icy Pole 
And thrice the claws of glowing Cancer sees, 
And now the East explores, and now the West, 
Till waning day at last and closing night 
Make perilous his flight, and in the realms 740 

Of western Atlas brief repose he seeks, 
Till Lucifer Aurora wake, and waked 
Aurora mount once more her morning-car. 

Hugest of human race was Atlas, sprung 
Of old Iapetus, to whom the bounds 745 

Of Earth and Sea were subject, where the Sun 
Downward to Ocean guides his panting steeds 
And in the wave his glowing axle cools. 

A thousand fleecy flocks, a thousand herds 
His pastures roamed secure : — his ample realm 750 

No neighbours vexed; — its golden groves with leaves 
Of gold perpetual bloomed, and golden fruit. 
" Thou," quoth Perseus, — " whom I fain would call 



128 ATLAS CHANGED TO A MOUNTAIN. [Book IV. 

" My Host, if glorious "birth thou prizest, mine 
" I boast from Jove : — if tale of hero-deeds 755 

" More please thee, — mine methinks may well repay 
" What rest I ask and shelter." — But the King 
Mindful of that oracular rede which erst 
Parnassian Themis spake — " The time shall come, 
" Atlas! when that golden tree a son 760 

" Of Jove shall strip and spoil!" — had girt around 
His orchard high with massive walls, and set 
Within a monstrous dragon for a guard, 
And churlish to all strangers barred his realm. 
" Begone!" he cried — "lest all these lies of thine 765 

" Of wonders, and of Jove, avail thee naught !" 
Nor threatened only, but with show of force, 
Deaf or to fair request or bold demand, 
Prepared to thrust him thence. No mortal strength, 
He knew, might cope with Atlas in his might. 770 

" Find I so little grace 1 " he said — " then take 
" From me this gift at parting!" and his look 
Askance he turned, and from his left arm flashed 
Pull upon Atlas' face the Gorgon-Head, 
With all its horrors: — and the Giant-King 775 

A Giant-Mountain stood ! His beard, his hair 
Were forests : — into crags his shoulders spread 
And arms : — his head the crowning summit towered : — 
His bones were granite. So the Fates fulfilled 
Their hest ; — and all his huge proportions swelled 780 

To vaster bulk, and ample to support 
The incumbent weight of Heaven and all its Stars. 
/Hippotades in their eternal prison 
Had caged the Winds, and Lucifer, who wakes 



Book IV.] PERSEUS AND ANDROMEDA. 1 29 

The world to labour, brightly beamed in Heaven, 785 

When now the Youth, to either ankle bound 
His feathery wings resumed, and on his thigh 
The moony falchion girt, and cleaving light 
With oary foot the liquid air, afar 

O'er many a realm and many a people flew, 790 

Till down upon the ^Ethiopian shores, 
Of Cepheus ruled, he looked; — where Amnion's wrath 
Unjust had doomed Andromeda to pay 
Her Mother's boastful insolence of tongue. 
Bound by her white arms to the rugged rocks 795 

The Maid he saw : — and were't not for the breeze 
That gave her tresses motion, and the tears 
That trickled down her pallid cheeks, — had sure 
Some marble statue deemed. The sudden hre 
Within him burned ; and, spell-bound as he gazed 800 
Upon that beauteous vision, scarce his wings 
Their office due remembered. " Oh ! " he cried — 
" What bonds are these, for one whom Love alone 
" With softest link should fetter 1 Speak what name 
" Thou bearest, — whence thy birth, — and why these chains'?" 
Answered him naught the Maid, with virgin-shame, 806 
So seen of man, confused and mute ; — her hands, 
Had but her bonds allowed, her face had hid : — 
Tears only made reply. But, as he still 
His question urged, lest silence might for sign 8 t o 

Of conscious gilt be deemed, she faltered forth 
Her name and race, and how her Mother's vaunt 
Too arrogant of beauty wrought her woe : — 
And scarce her tale had ended, — when the waves 
Lashed into sudden fury foamed and roared, 815 

I 



130 PERSEUS AND ANDROMEDA. [Book IV. 

And, wallowing huge o'er half the Deep, uprose 

The Ocean-Monster to his prey. Her cry 

Of terror rang to Heaven. Beside her stood 

Her wretched Sire, and, wretched more than he, 

And with just cause, her Mother: — helpless both 820 

To aid : — to wail, to weep, to cling around 

Her fettered form, was all they could. " A truce 

" To tears !" quoth Perseus, — " time enough to weep 

" Hereafter may he yours : — for helpful act 

" And quick the moment calls. If I, the child 825 

" Of Danae, — born to Jove, when to her tower 

" Yeiled in that fruitful rain of gold the God 

" Found loving way, — I, Perseus, who the spoil 

" Discovered of the Gorgon's snaky locks 

" Bear Victor, and athwart the fields of air 830 

" Borne on these wings my fearless course pursue, — 

" Were Suitor for your daughter's hand, — I trow 

" No rival need I fear ! To so much claim 

" This service yet, with Jove to aid, I add, — 

" And, if I save her, be the Maiden mine ! " 835 

Gladly — for who could hesitate 1 ? — their faith 
They plight, and call on Heaven the bold emprise 
To prosper, and their kingdom pledge for dower. 
But lo ! by this — as some beaked galley's prow 
Furrows the Deep by sweating rowers urged, — 840 

Nearer the Monster with his breast's huge bulk 
Cleft the disparted waves ; and, — from the rock 
No farther now than Balearic sling 
Through middle air its bullet whirls, — approached. 
Sudden the Hero spurns the Earth, and soars 845 

Aloft in air. The shadow of his foe 



Book IV.] PERSEUS AND ANDROMEDA. 131 

Cast darkling o'er the flood the Monster sees, 

And on it wastes his rage. As when the Bird 

Of Jove npon some desert-plain espies 

A serpent, sunning in the noontide beam 850 

His ghstening length, and from behind the prey 

Attacks, ere backward he his deadly fangs 

Can turn, and fastens in his scaly neck 

His hungry claws, — so Eagle-like through air 

Downward upon the beast the Hero swooped, 855 

And through his shoulders, as he raged, the blade 

Drove to the hilt. With anguish of that wound 

Now high in air the Monster bounds, now deep 

Plunges below ; now, like a Boar at bay 

Hemmed by the yelping pack, his furious jaws 860 

Snap wildly here and there : — the agile wings 

Elude his gripe, and on his scaly back 

Eough with adhering shells, and where his tail 

Tapers to fishy ending, and his sides 

And ribs, exposed, give room for stroke to fall, 865 

The falchion deals its deadly wound. A flood 

Spouts horrible, of foam and wave and gore 

Commingled, from his gaping jaws, and clogs 

The Hero's wings with crimson spray. No more 

To these he trusts, but on a rock, whose crest 870 

The billows may not reach, his station takes, 

And with his left hand grasps the crag, and thrice 

And once his weapon to the very heart 

Drives of the conquered beast. From all the shore 

Applauding shouts ring jubilant to Heaven: 875 

And Cepheus and Cassiope, o'erjoyed, 

By that pledged name of Son-in-law the help 



132 PERSEUS AND ANDROMEDA. [Book IV. 

And Saviour of their house salute. Unbound 

The rescued Maiden stands, of all that risk 

Fair cause and guerdon. In the cleansing flood 880 

The Hero laves his bloody hands, and next, 

Lest mischief of that snaky trophy come, 

On the bare sands exposed, with couch of leaves 

And weeds marine he strews the ground, and wraps 

From sight Medusa's head; The herbage, green 885 

And sappy yet, through all its pores imbibed 

The magic influence of that touch, and froze 

And stiffened into stony leaf and stalk. 

Wondering the Sea-Nymphs saw, — and with fresh growth 

Of Ocean made experiment, and laughed 890 

At like result delighted, and wide strewed 

Around their watery realm the novel seeds. 

Such changing nature yet the Coral holds, 

Hardened in upper air : — what in the wave 

Was branch and twig and leaf, on Earth is stone. 895 

Three altars next of turf he rears : — the left 
To Hermes ; to the Virgin-Queen of War 
The right ; to Jove the midmost : and a Cow 
To Pallas slays, to Mercury a Calf, 

And to the Almighty Sire a mighty Bull. 900 

And now, fair guerdon of that bold exploit, 
Careless of promised dower, Andromeda 
Alone he claims ; and Hymen's torch and Love's 
In kindled union blaze ; the altars waft 
To Heaven their incense ; every gate with flowers 905 

Is garlanded; and pipe, and horn, and lyre, 
And song, and all that speaks a people's joy, 
Wake nuptial harmony. The palace opes 



Book IV.] HOW PERSEUS WON MEDUSA'S HEAD. 1 33 

Its golden gates ; and to the festal board 

Of Cepheus fair-arrayed his nobles throng. 910 

And now, when Bacchus' genial gift had warmed 
Their souls to freer converse, of their Laws 
And Life the Hero asks. Courteous their Guest 
Lyncides answers, and, whate'er of use 
And wont and rule he questions, fair explains. 915 

And as he ended, " Tell us, in thy turn, 
" bravest of the brave," he said, " what force 
" Or art was thine, that serpent-guarded Head 
" To win and wear 1 " And Perseus answering told 
How 'neath the snows of Atlas lay a spot, 920 

Fenced round with solid rampart of thick wall, 
Beside whose entrance dwelt the sisters twain 
Of Phorcys born, who with alternate use 
Between them shared but one sole eye, and how 
That orb, from one to other passed, his hand 925 

Passing contrived to seize, and with such bribe 
Eestored the road had learned, by waste, and wild, 
And rugged rock, and shaggy wood, to where 
Their Sister-Gorgon dwelt ) and, on that path 
What lifeless shapes of men and beasts he saw 930 

By glance of fell Medusa petrified, 
As he himself had been, but for the shield 
On his left arm, wherein reflected glared 
The mirrored image of the deadly Pace 
Itself unseen : and how, while sleep alike 935 

The Monster and her serpents bound, he shore 
Clean from the trunk its head, and to his will 
Subdued the winged speed of Pegasus, 
Sprung, with Chrysaor, from the crimson flood 



134 STORY OF MEDUSA. [Book IV. 

Forth, gushing with their mother's life : — and all 940 

The perils of his wondrous journey told, 

What seas, what lands, beneath that airy height 

Outspread his gaze had viewed, and to what stars 

His daring flight had soared: — and, as he ceased, 

Too brief to those who listened seemed the tale. 945 

" But how " — one questioned — " came it, that of all 
" Her sisterhood, this only with those locks 
" Of twining snakes was cursed 1 " " That story too " 
Quoth Perseus, " well may claim your ears. Of old 
" Eenowned for beauty was she, and her love 950 

" Contending suitors jealous sought: — myself 
" Have heard those say who saw, her plenteous hair 
" Of all her charms was chief est. But the Lord 
" Of Ocean, as in Pallas' very fane 

" She worshipped, forced her. Prom the sight her eyes 955 
" The outraged Goddess veiling with her shield, 
" Por guerdon due of. such offence, that wealth 
" Of curling gold to loathsome vipers changed ; 
" And still, when most her terrors strike her foes, 
" Upon her iEgis wears the snakes she made." 960 



THE 



METAMORPHOSES 



OF 



PUBLIUS OVIDIUS NASO 



BOOK V. 



THE METAMORPHOSES. 



BOOK V. 

I. Thus as to Cepheus' peers Ms tale the son 
Of Danae told, sudden the festal hall 
A crowd uproarious filled; — no joyous song 
For nuptials meet was there, but clang of arms 
And shout of foes. And, like the Ocean stirred 5 

From calm by sudden squall, with all its waves 
Upheaved, the banquet into tumult broke. 
Author and chief of that rash war, with spear 
Brandished of ashen shaft and brazen point, 
Came Phineus first. — " Give back my ravished bride!" 10 
He shouted — " or not all thy wings, nor lies 
" Of Jove and golden showers, from my revenge 
" Shall shield thee ! " And his hand the spear had hurled, 
But Cepheus stayed him. " Art thou mad 1 " he cried, 
" My Brother ! — Wherefore this ? What frenzy prompts 
" Such deed of foulest wrong 1 Is this the meed 1 6 

" Such gallant help hath merited 1 Would'st pay 
" With dower like this yon rescued Maiden's life 1 
" Bethink thee! If thou losest her — not he 




138 STORY OF PERSEUS. [Book V. 

" Not Perseus took her from thee, but the Powers 20 

" Offended of the Nereid Deities, 

" Great Amnion's self, and that huge Ocean-beast 

" Wallowing, that threatened in my child to tear 

" My house's very vitals ! In the hour 

" That saw her led to Death, thy bride to thee 25 

" Was lost. Barbarian! would'st thou rather see 

" Her perish, and, in that calamity 

" Of all, thy loss feel less 1 — Was't not enough 

" There bound before thine eyes thy Niece, thy Bride, 

" To see, nor strike one helping blow? — Dost dare 30 

" Complain another saved her 1 Wilt thou grudge 

" The prize to him who earned it? If so dear 

" To thee it was, from yonder rock thyself 

" Had'st better done to seek it ! Peace ! Let him 

" Who won it wear. The hand whose valour saved 35 

" A house else desolate, deserves and claims 

" Its guerdon pledged: — a rival, if thou wilt, — 

" But one to Death preferred, and not to Thee!" 

No answering word he spoke, but furious glared 
On Cepheus now, now Perseus, as in doubt 40 

Which first to strike : — then sudden at the youth 
With all the force of jealous hate he hurled 
The ill-directed spear, that in the throne 
Quivered on which he sate. The weapon quick 
Seized Perseus, and, upstarting, with that steel 45 

Eeturned had pierced his foe ; but back he sprang 
Behind the altar in the Hall, and crouched 
Safe for the moment : — wretch, who never help 
Of altar so deserved ! But not in vain 
The javelin flew: — Deep through the brow it sped 50 



Book V.] STORY OF PERSEUS. 1 39 

Of Khaetus, and prone felled him, in the fall 

Wrenched from the shattered bone. The festal hoard 

His spouting blood bespattered. Instant woke 

The general strife; and missiles thick as hail 

From all his comrades flew. " Death!" was the cry 55 

" To Cepheus and his Son-in-law!" The King, 

Attesting first all Gods of Host and Guest, 

All right, all faith, that of that wrong himself 

Was guiltless, from the hall had fled. But down 

From Heaven shot Pallas to her Brother's aid, 60 

And, with her iEgis shielding, held unharmed, 

And gave him heart. Foremost among his foes, 

Of Indian blood, stood Athis, whom the Nymph 

Limnate in her crystal caverns erst 

To Ganges bore. Scarce sixteen years the boy 65 

To man had ripened : — fair of form, and decked 

In garb that made him fairer : fringed with gold 

His Tyrian mantle flowed, — a golden chain 

Circled his neck, — a fillet of like ore 

His perfumed locks con fined. Well-skilled he was 70 

Distant to hurl the javelin, — better still 

In Archer's craft. Him, as his stubborn bow 

He strung, with brand that on the altar lay 

Still smouldering, Perseus smote, and all his face 

Smashed into formless ruin. Ly cabas 7 5 

The Assyrian, friend and comrade dearest loved 

And loving, saw those features fair in gore 

Grovel convulsed, and from that bitter wound 

The life-blood gushing pour. And, with wild yell 

Of grief and rage the bow the boy had strung 80 

He stooped and snatched. " With me," he shouted, " now 






140 STORY OF PERSEUS. [Book V. 

" Be tried the contest ! Think not long to boast 

" This triumph o'er a slaughtered child — thy shame 

" And not thy praise!" — and, with the word, the shaft 

Loosed flashing from the string. The wary son 85 

Of Danae in his mantle's fold received 

Its idle force; and, with that falchion famed 

That shore Medusa's head, upon his foe 

Fierce rushing, drave it to his heart. The night 

Of Death closed black around him. But with eyes, 90 

While yet they could, on Athis bent, beside 

That corse beloved he strove to fall, and, so 

Linked in like fate, less sorrowing sought the Shades ! 

One, — Phorbas, child of fair Methione 
Syenian born, — and one, Amphimedon 95 

Of Libyan lineage, forward to the strife 
Too eager pressing, on the floor, with blood 
Red-deluged, slipped and fell : — nor either rose 
Again. Of this the neck, of that the flank 
The fatal falchion smote. By other arms 100 

Fell Erithus, of Athon's line. A bowl 
Of massive silver, rough with carven forms 
Inwrought, the Hero seized, and, with both hands 
Uplifting, dashed him headlong. Vomiting 
A crimson flood he rolled, and with his head 105 

Convulsive beat the pavement. Stricken next 
Fell Polydsemon, from Semiramis 



Glorying his line to trace, and Abaris, 
Caucasian, and Lycetus, of thy stream, 



Spercheius, sprung : — and, fair with flowing locks, no 

Fell Elycus, — Phlegias and Clitus fell; 

And, trampled still 'neath Perseus' foot, the heap 



Book V.] STORY OF PERSEUS. 141 

Of slaughter rose. Close contest with such foe 

The soul of Phineus dared not : but from far 

His spear he hurled, that, aimed amiss, its wound 115 

On Idas dealt, — Idas, who in that strife 

Unsharing, vainly neutral, stood. His wrath 

Flashed from his eyes. " If choose I must " — he cried — 

" My part, — then feel the foe thyself hast made, 

" And pay my wound with thine !" and from his side 120 

The steel he plucked, but, in the effort back 

To hurl it, strength and blood forsook his limbs 

Collapsed, and prone he fell. By this the sword 

Of Clymenus Odites, of the Peers 

Of Cepheus chief, had slain: — and for thy life 125 

Protenor, Hypseus to Lyncides paid 

JEEis own. Amid that throng iEmathion stood, 

Eeverend in years : — his justice all men knew, 

His piety all Gods : — and, though from age 

His hand might wield no weapon, with his voice 130 

Contending still, with trembling arms around 

The altar clasped, loudly that impious strife 

Denounced. But, on the very stone, the blade 

Of Chromis lopped his head ; and from his tongue 

Still struggling, inarticulate, the curse 135 

Amid the smouldering embers died away. 

Broteas and Ammon next, twins unsurpassed 

In boxer's art, — and both invincible 

Could but the caestus match the sword, — the hand 

Of Phineus stretched in death; — and Amycus, 140 

Around whose brow the snowy fillet wreathed 

The Priest of Ceres spoke. Ill too with these 

Confounded, Iapetides his fate 



%\ 



142 STORY OF PERSEUS. [Book V. 

O'ertook. All ! "bidden ne'er to scene like this, 

Revel and feast alone that lyre and lay, 145 

Peace-breathing, should have cheered ! Him, as he stood, 

Plectrum and harp in hand, the death-blow smote 

Of Pettalus. " Hence ! and in Hades end 

" Thy song! " he shouted, mocking, and his brow 

Clove with his sword; and, as he fell, the strings, 150 

Swept with his dying touch, a broken strain 

And piteous breathed. Nor unavenged his fall 

Lycormas saw, — but from its socket tore 

The portal's dexter-bar. Deep in the brain 

Buried of Pettalus it crashed, and, as 155 

Before Jove's altar falls a bull, he fell ! 

The answering bar Cinyphian Pelatus 

Had sprung to seize, but, in the act, his hand 

The shaft of Cory thus transpierced, and nailed 

Past to the wood ; — and his defenceless side 160 

The steel of Abas drained. The wood his fall 

Tenacious barred, — and, as he hung, he died ! 

Then fell, for Perseus fighting, Menaleus, 

And Dorylas, than whom no Lord of lands 

Ruled wider by the banks of Nasanion, 165 

Or with more plenteous harvest stored his barns. 

Him sideways, with his spear-point, in the flank 

Where fatal falls the blow, Halcyoneus 

The Bactrian struck, and, as his foe he saw 

Prostrate, with glazing eye and gasp convulsed, 170 

In death-pang rolled, " For all thy lands," he cried, 

" Thy body's length may serve thee now!" and turned 

Contemptuous from the corse. But Perseus tore 

The weapon from, the wound, and, in mid face, 



Book V.] STORY OF PERSEUS. 143 

Through nose and skull and brain, avenging drove 175 

The point, that glittering far behind out-stood. 

Heaven nerved his arm that moment. Clytius next 

And Clanis fell : — one mother gave them birth 

To different fate ordained : through Clytius' thigh 

The ashen spear, through Clavis' jaws the dart 180 

With fatal force he hurled. And Celadon 

Of Mendes died, and Astreus, Syrian-born 

Of sire uncertain, and iEthion, wise 

To read the fate of others, blindly led 

To meet his own. Thoactes, to the King 185 

Destined no more his arms to bear, — and, foul 

With parricide, Agyrtes swelled the slain. 

But for one dead a hundred live, and all 

Bent on one life — sworn comrades in a cause 

That mocks at Faith and Eight. To these opposed 190 

But Cepheus, vainly loyal, — and thy shrieks 

Cassiope, and thine, young Bride, that rend 

With wail the palace-halls, amid the clang 

More loud of arms and death-groan of the slain, 

Unheeded or unheard. The household Gods 195 

Polluted drip with slaughter; but the strife 

Bellona stirs anew. Round Danae's son 

Phineus and all his followers close; like hail 

In winter fly the javelins ; — right and left 

Before his eyes, beside his ears, they whizz 200 

And flash. Against a column's bulk his back 

He sheltered, and, on that side safe, with front 

Undaunted stemmed the onset. On the right 

Chaonian Molpeus threatened, — on the left 

Of Nabathaean blood Ethemon pressed. 205 



144 STORY OF PERSEUS. [Book V. 

And, as a tigress, wild with hunger, hears 

Deep in the vale the low of pasturing herds 

On either side, and doubtful this or that 

First to attack, on both at once would rush, — 

So fierce, yet hesitating, Perseus stood 210 

Which first to strike. Molpeus the earlier blow 

Provoked, and limping with half-severed leg 

Slunk from the fray. Content the Hero marked 

His flight, without pursuit ; — for that no time 

Ethemon gave : — but his ill-measured stroke, 215 

Aimed where the neck and shoulder join, alone 

The column's shaft endured. The shivered blade 

In splinters from the marble flew, and, back 

Recoiling, in the throat the striker struck, 

Sore hurt, but not to Death. That doom the hand 220 

Of Perseus dealt ; and, staggering as he reeled, 

Through the weak fence of his unweaponed arms 

The falchion — erst the gift of Maia's son — 

Deep in his bosom buried. But that strife, 

He knew, no valour with outnumbering force 225 

Might more sustain. " Yourselves will have it so !" 

He cried — " Then meet your fate ! What was my foe 

" Must friend me now. Comrades ! — if comrades yet 

" I have — turn hence your eyes!" — And from its shroud 

The Gorgon-Head he drew. " Hence! Mountebank!" 230 

Cried Thescalus — " On fools and children try 

" These juggling tricks !" And, as his lance he poised, 

In act to whirl, the man a statue stood ! 

Ampyx beside him fought, and at thy breast 

Lyncides, bold as loyal, would have struck: 235 

But, in the very stroke, his stiffening hand 



Book V.] STORY OF PERSEUS. I45 

"Not back nor forward more had power to move ! 

Xileus, — who from old Egypt's seven-fold flood 

Claimed lying origin, and on his shield, 

In silver part in-wrought and part in gold, 240 

Seven rivers bore, — came next. " Behold " — he cried 

" The badge that speaks my parentage ! — and bear 

" To Hades all such solace as thy Death 

" From hand like mine may yield!" The later words 

Were choked in utterance; and the marble lips, 245 

Open to speak, to no more speech gave way. 

" Dastards ! " shouts Eryx — " 'tis your cowardice 

" And not the Gorgon numbs ye ! On with me, 

" And strike this juggler down! " And, as he rushed, 

In Earth his foot was fixed, and, threatening still, 250 

But motionless, the Warrior glared in stone. 

So these their doom earned justly. Eate less due 

Aconteus met. Him, as on Perseus' side 

Forward too far he pressed, that Face accurst 

Encountering petrified. Astyages 255 

Smote, as he thought, a living foe : — his sword 

Clinked only on a stone. Like fate amazed 

O'ertook him, and in marble still his eyes 

With wonder seemed to stare. 'Twere long to tell 

The roll of meaner names. Two hundred yet 260 

The strife had spared : — two hundred into stone 

The Gorgon struck. Too late that impious war 

The soul of Phineus rued. But what of help 

Remains 1 — His comrades round him stand — each friend 

He sees, and knows, and calls, — and with, vain grasp 265 

Of hand essays to rouse : — but all his touch 

Can reach are statues ! With averted glance 

K 



146 STORY OF PERSEUS. [Book V. 

He bowed, and sideways spread his suppliant arms : — 

" I own thee victor, Perseus! — Turn, ah! turn 

" That fearful Face away, whose power too well, 270 

" Whate'er She be, is proved ! In mercy take 

" The monster hence ! No hate to thee it was, 

" No lust of sway, that moved me : — for my Bride 

" Alone I drew the sword. For service done 

" The stronger claim is thine: — but mine at least 275 

" In date was earlier. Better had I known 

" Earlier to yield it ! — Conqueror, — 'tis for life 

" Alone I ask thee ! Be all else thine own!" 

So prayed he, daring not his eyes to raise 

To him he sued. " I grant thee what I can, 280 

" Craven!" the Hero answered — " boon enough 

" For such, as thou ! My falchion harms thee not ! 

" That fear at least dismiss. Here not the less 

" A monument to all succeeding times 

" Fixed shalt thou stand: and in her Father's halls 285 

" My wife shall look upon the spouse she lost, 

" And smile, to think she lost him ! " And he flashed 

Full on the cowering wretch the Gorgon-Head. 

Vainly he strove to shun it ! Into stone 

The writhing neck was stiffened: — white the eyes 290 

Froze in their sockets : — and the statue still, 

With hands beseeching spread, and guilty fear 

Writ in its face, for mercy seemed to pray. 

II. To Argos thence the Victor bore Ms bride, 
His natal soil: burning his Mother's wrong 295 

On Prcetus to avenge : — Prcetus, whose hand 
Unbrotherlike Acrisius from his throne 



Book V.] MINERVA'S VISIT TO THE MUSES. 1 47 

Had hurled, and o'er his realm usurping ruled. 

But here no strength of weapon or of wall 

Availed him : — From the towers his treason won 300 

Appalled he fled, — nor faced with mortal arms 

The snaky horror of that monstrous Head. 

III. Xor yet the tyrant of that petty isle, 
Seriphus, all the Hero's trophies, won 

In many a toil and contest perilous, 305 

Had wrought to own his worth, or softened aught 

The enduring hate he nursed. ^No generous word 

Of praise from Polydectes came : — for him, 

The Gorgon's fate was but a braggart's lie. 

" Learn then its truth ! " the son of Danae cried, — 310 

" Look hence, who love me ! " — and upon the King 

Medusa glared, — and straight the King was stone ! 

IV. Thus far her brother, golden-born, the aid 
Of Pallas led. But from Seriphus now 

Veiled in a cloud she soared. To right she left 315 

Cythnos and Gyaros, and, where her way 

Lay shortest o'er the Ocean-waves, to Thebes 

And muse-loved Helicon she flew, and there 

Descending, to the Sisters Xine — " What tale" 

She said — " is this I hear, of some new fount 320 

" Sprung from the hoof-dint of that steed, whose birth 

" I witnessed, when his Gorgon-Mother bled ? — 

" Show me the spot ! To see it am I here ! " 

To her Urania — " Goddess ! whatsoe'er 

" The cause that brings thee, Welcome ! Xever guest 325 

" To us comes dearer ! For the tale — 'tis true ! 



148 STORY OF PYRENEUS. [Book V. 

" To Pegasus the fountain owes its birth : — 

" Behold it here ! " — And to the sacred spring 

She led Minerva. Long with musing gaze 

And wondering on the fount the Goddess looked, 330 

And on the ancient woods that girt it round, 

The caverns cool, the turf with every hue 

Of flowers unnumbered glowing. " Happy ye ! " 

She murmured — " Daughters of Mnemosyne, 

" In haunt and life like this ! " — " Goddess great ! " 335 

One answered — " whom, — but for that prouder place 

" Where birth and valour seat thee, sure our band 

" Had for a sister numbered, — what thou say'st 

" Is just and true : — sweet is our haunt, and sweet 

" Our labours, and, secure from fear, our life 340 

" Were blest indeed ! But violence and wrong 

" Are rife around us : — daily terrors fill, 

" Maids as we are, our bosoms. Yet before 

" These eyes Pyreneus seems to stand, and yet 

" I tremble at the memory. Daulis he 345 

" And Phocis with his Thracian soldiery 

" Had seized and held usurped. Us, as it chanced, 

" To Delphos journeying, and by sudden storm 

" O'ertaken and unsheltered, with fair show 

" Of reverence he accosted — false as fair — 350 

" * Hail ! Daughters of Mnemosyne ' — (our names 

" The traitor knew) — ' Deign underneath my roof 

" ' Awhile the tempest's wrath to shun. The Gods 

" ' Themselves ere now have meaner refuge used.' 

" Fair seemed the proffer ; — pitiless the storm 355 

" Was pelting ; — and we entered. When the sky 

" Again was clear, and Aquilo had driven 



Book V.] STORY OF THE PIERIDES. 1 49 

" Dun-clouded Auster back, upon our way 

" We would have fared. The gates were barred ; and Force 

" Had shamed us, — but we shook out sudden wings 360 

" Bird-like, and fled. Upon his topmost tower 

" Furious the traitor stood — and ' Where ye pass 

" * I too can follow ! ' shouting — madly leaped 

" In air, and fell, and lay, a shattered mass 

" Of bones and blood that crimsoned all the soil." 365 

V. The Muse was speaking yet, when whirr of wings 
Came rustling overhead, and from the boughs 
Voices that bade them ' Hail ! ' — so human-clear 
That upward Pallas turned her wondering gaze 
To see who spoke. She saw but Birds : — a row 370 

Thrice three, of Pies, at imitative sounds 
Deftest of winged things, that, on a branch 
Perched clamorous, seemed as though some woful fate 
They wailed and strove to tell. To her the Muse : — 
" The Birds thou seest of all the tribes of air 375 

" Are newest. Pierus, their Sire, was Lord 
" Of Pella's field, and, of Paeonian strain 
" Evippe was their mother. Thrice three times 
" Conceiving, thrice three times Lucina's aid 
" She prayed and won. Their mystic number swelled 380 
" The foolish girls with pride. All Thessaly 
" They traversed, all Achaia's towns, and here 
" At last, with open taunt and challenge bold, 
" Stood, and defied us. ' Cease ' — they cried — ' the strains 
" ' Whose vapid sweetness all too long hath gulled 385 
" ' The vulgar of its praises ! Sing with us 
" ' Thespiades ! if in your Goddess-souls 



150 STORY OF THE PIERIDES. [Book V. 

" ' Be courage for such contest. Nor in voice 

" ' Nor art we fear comparison. We too 

" ' Are Nine, as ye are. If we win, to us 390 

" ' Medusa's fount and Aganippe's spring 

" ' Eesign. If ye be victors, — from the fields 

" ' Of Thessaly to our Pseonian snows 

" ' Conquered we back betake us. Let the Nymphs 

" ' Between us judge ! ' — 'Twas shameful to contend, 395 

" But shameful more to yield. The chosen Nymphs 

" By all their Eiver-Gods to sentence fair 

" Were sworn: — the rock with living verdure fresh 

" Their judgment-seat supplied. No lot had ruled 

" The contest's order, but impetuous forth 400 

" One sprang, who claimed their Champion's place — and sang 

" The Wars of Heaven. But all her partial praise 

" Was for the Giants : — valour of the Gods 

" Was none, or sore disparaged. Thee she sang, 

" Typhoeus, of the throes of central Earth 405 

" Tremendous born, and how thy onset smote 

" The Lords of Heaven with terror, and in flight 

" Drave panic-stricken, till Egyptian Nile 

" Sheltering amid his seven-fold channels hid 

" The panting Fugitives : — and how, even there, 410 

" That Earth-born Foe's pursuit to meaner shapes 

" Transformed they shunned. Great Jupiter — she told — 

" Was hidden in a Earn — so first were wreathed 

" The horns of Libic Ammon : — Eaven's plumes 

" Apollo clad : — the son of Semele 415 

" Lurked in a Goat : — Diana in a Cat : — 

" A milk-white Cow was Juno : — Mercury 

" An Ibis soared : — and Venus swam, a Fish. 



Book V.] SONG OF CALLIOPE. 1 5 1 

" So — with light touch accordant of the lyre, 
" She sang : — 'Twas ours to answer. — But thy hours 420 
" Are precious, Goddess, — nor thy leisure serves 
" To list our strain repeated." " Think it not J " 
The Goddess answered — " On this shady bank 
" My seat shall he to hear it : — tell it out 
" From end to end ! " — " On one " — the Muse resumed — 
" Alone of all our hand fearless we staked 426 

" The issue of the contest, and uprose 
" Calliope, — her locks, else floating loose, 
" With ivy garlanded, — and with light touch 
" Of prelude smote the quivering strings, and clear 430 
" With harmony of voice and lyre she sang. 

VI. " Ceres it was, who first with crooked share 
" Furrowed the glebe ; — who first the golden boon 
" Of harvest and all kindly fruit of Earth 
" Bestowed, and taught men Law. To her whate'er 435 
" We are, or have, we owe. To her my strain 
" I dedicate, — theme worthiest of all song : — 
" Ah ! would the song were worthier of its theme ! 

" Piled o'er a buried Giant stands the Isle 
" Of Trinacris. Beneath the mighty mass 440 

" Typhoeus lies, yet breathing — he who thought 
" To storm the heights of Heaven — and still he writhes 
" And struggles with his burden. But thy weight, 
" Pelorus, binds his better hand; — the left 
" Pachynus crushes ; — Lilybaeum cramps 445 

" His legs and feet ; and, o'er his head, the load 
" Of loftiest iEtna presses. Thence, supine 
" Outspread, a flood of ashes blent and fire 



152 SONG OF CALLIOPE. [Book V. 

" He belches forth, in effort vain to heave 

" The pressure from his labouring breast, and roll 450 

" The uprooted mount in ruin o'er its towns. 

" So quakes the Earth : — and, in his silent realm 

" The Lord of Hades trembles, lest she gape 

" Outright, and sudden day-flood through her wound 

" Pour on the startled Shades. Such terror 'twas 455 

" That whilome from his darksome seat to Earth 

" Evoked Mm. Bound each shore of Sicily 

" The sable steeds were driven, and keen and close 

" He scanned the Isle. Eirm-based it stood, and fast, 

" And gave no sign of yielding : — and his soul 460 

" Was reassured. But, from the mount that gave 

" Her name, the eye of Erycina marked 

" The truant God ; and round her winged child 

" Her fondling arms she flung. ' Thou' — she cried — 

" ' My son ! my hand ! my weapon ever-true ! 465 

" ' My power's best champion ! haste, my Cupid ! seize 

" ' Those arms that conquer all, and with thy shaft 

" ' Pierce me yon God, who in the triple realm 

" ' Sways nethermost ! What ! shall the Lords of Heaven 

" 'And Jove their Sovereign — shall the Powers of Sea 470 

" 'And He who rules them — own thy might, and Hell 

" < Alone be free 1— The third o' the World's at stake ! 

" ' Strike but this blow, and win it ! Seest thou not 

" ' How even in Heaven my tottering Empire shakes, 

" 'And, with it, thine? Minerva mocks my power! 475 

" ' The frigid huntress, Dian, scoffs at me ! 

" 'Yon girl of Ceres apes them; and a Maid 

" ' Will die, if we not hinder. If one throb 

" ' Of gratitude for Empire equal shared 



Book V.] PLUTO AND PROSERPINA. 1 53 



a i 



Be thine, unite this pair!' — So Venus urged 480 

" Her offspring, not unwilling : — and he oped 
" His quiver's store, and from its thousand shafts 
" One, at her hest, selected : — sharper none 
" Or surer ever from the bow-string twanged 
" Obedient • — and against his knee he set 485 

" The horn, and bent it, — and the barbed dart 
" Shot sudden to the very heart of Dis. 

" There stands a broad lake near to Enna's walls, — 
" Men call it Pergus : — Not Cayster's wave 
" More musical with song of frequent swans. 490 

" The veiling woods o'erhang its face, and ward 
" The fires of baffled Phoebus. Prom the grove 
" Breathes coolness : — from the turf a thousand flowers 
" Blush with the hues of Tyre. Perpetual Spring 
" The spot invests. Beneath the happy shade 495 

" Proserpina was sporting : — now she culled 
" The violet's purple, now the lily's snow, 
" And still her basket heaped, and girl-like filled 
" Her bosom with the fragrant spoil, and mocked 
" Her mates who gathered less. Ah ! Love is swift ! — 500 
" To see, — to burn, — to bear her thence, — for Dis 
" "Was but a moment's work. The frighted Maid 
" Shrieking, upon her Mother and her mates 
" Por succour called, — her Mother most. Her robe 
" Was rent, and on the Earth her treasured flowers 505 
" Were scattered, and her child-like innocence 
" Even for that loss, even in that hour, was fain 
" To grieve. But onward swift the Kavisher 
" His chariot urged, and, each by name invoked, 
" Pressed to their speed his sable steeds, and flung 5 1 o 



1 54 SONG OF CALLIOPE. [Book V. 

" Loose on their necks the reins, with rust and grime 

" Infernal stained. Past the deep lake he sped, 

" And by the sulphurous pools, where yawning Earth 

" Upheaved the twins Palician, to the spot 

" Where erst the Bacchiad Exile built his walls 515 

" ' Twixt two unequal havens, — minded so 

" Of his own Corinth and its double Sea. 

" Betwixt the fount of Pisan Arethuse 
" And Cyane, a Sea there lies; — a lake 
" It seems, so close the circling shores contract 520 

" Its entrance. There, of all Sicilian Nymphs 
" In honour chief, dwelt Cyane : — her name 
" The waters bore. Mid-high above the flood 
" She rose, and recognised the God. 'Eorbear!' 
" She cried — ' I bar thy farther way! Not thus, 525 

" ' Against the will of Ceres, hope to be 

Her Son-in-law ! "Who seeks that hand, should sue, 

Not ravish ! Ill with thee may such as I 
" ' Compare; — but once I too was loved, and when 
" ' Of old Anapis sought me for his bride, 530 

" ' By prayer and gentle suit his Wife was won, 
" 'And not by terror, like this frightened child!' 

" She spake, and wide her arms outspread, and stood 
" Opposing: — but the wrath of Saturn's Son 
" Burned hot within him: — and a mighty shout 535 

" Called on those terrible steeds. With stalwart arm 
" His sceptre in the fronting gulf he whirled, 
" And buried in its depths; and Sea and Earth, 
" In chasm tremendous yawning, gave him way, 
" And headlong down to Hades swept the Car. 540 

" But ah ! the grief of Cyane, — to see 



a 1 
a ( 



Book V.] THE QUEST OF CERES. I 55 

" A Goddess ravished, and her honoured fount 

" With insult shamed ! No plaint she made, but mute 

" That wrong mourned inconsolable; and drowned 

" In tears she wasted, in the flood absorbed 545 

" Whereof she once was Goddess. Form and limb 

" Their outline lost; and bone and nail — whate'er 

" Was firm — grew flexible : whate'er more soft 

" Of texture, locks, and fingers, legs, and feet, 

" With easier change dissolved: — and back and breast 550 

" And shoulders, trickling down in slender rills, 

" Blent with the stream : — till in her veins the blood 

" Paled into water, and, impalpable 

" All corporal substance in the flood was lost. 

VII. " But over Land and Sea disconsolate 555 

" The Mother sought her Child. Still, in that task, 
" Aurora found her, when her ruddy locks 
" At earliest morn she shook ; — still Hesperus 
" At Eve beheld her. Through the midnight frosts, 
" Sleepless, in either hand a piny torch, 560 

" Kindled in iEtna's flames, she waved : — and, when 
" The Stars were lost in dawn, where Phoebus rose 
" Or set, East, West, the endless search pursued. 

" Weary and travel-worn, — her lips unwet 
" With water, — at a straw-thatched cottage door 565 

" The Wanderer knocked. An ancient crone came forth 
" And saw her need, and hospitable brought 
" Her bowl of barley-broth, and bade her drink. 
" Thankful she raised it: — but a graceless boy 
" And impudent stood by, and, ere the half 570 

" Was drained, ' Ha ! ha ! see how the glutton swills ! ' 



156 SONG OF CALLIOPE. [Book V. 

" With insolent jeer lie cried. The Goddess' ire 

" Was roused, and, as he spoke, what liquor yet 

" The bowl retained full in his face she dashed. 

" His cheeks broke out in blotches : — What were arms 575 

" Turned legs, and from the shortened trunk a tail 

" Tapered behind. Small mischief evermore 

" Might that small body work : — the lizard's self 

" Was larger now than he. With terror shrieked 

" The crone, and weeping stooped her altered child 580 

" To raise; — the little monster fled her grasp 

" And wriggled into hiding. Still his name 

" His nature tells, and, from the star-like spots 

" That mark him, known as Stellio crawls the Newt. 

VIII. " What Seas, what Lands, in that enduring quest 
" The Goddess traversed, were a tedious tale 586 

" To tell. No spot of Earth un visited 
" Escaped her. Baffled, back to Sicily 
" At last she came. There, wandering up and down, 
" By Cyane she passed, — and Cyane, 590 

" But for that change had told her all: but tongue 
" And voice — all organ of articulate speech — 
" Were lost. Yet on her surface, manifest, 
" What sign she could she gave. Floating, the zone, 
" That in that hallowed fount Persephone 595 

" Had dropped, the Mother saw, and knew, and tore 
" Her locks dishevelled, and with passionate hands 
" Her bosom beat. Her child was lost ! — The theft 
" Was clear, — but who the Robber ? That as yet 
" She knew not: — but all Earth's expanse she banned, — 
" Ungrateful and unworthy of her gifts, — 601 



:i,l 



Book V.] THE QUEST OF CERES. 157 

" To barrenness : — Trinacria most, which first 

" Assured her of her loss. With angry hand 

" The ploughs she broke: — the peasant and his team 

" Sickened alike and died : the laboured fields 605 

" Their promise broke : — and all the kindly seeds 

" "Were blasted with strange poison. Through the world 

" Earth's fruitfulness was marred. The tender blade 

" In its first greenness withered. Drought or Flood 

" Alternate parched or rotted. Stars and Winds 610 

" Alike were adverse. All the greedy fowl 

" Of Heaven, devouring, wheresoe'er the grain 

" Was scattered, flocked : — and all pernicious growth 

" Of darnel, and of cockle, choked the corn, 

" And pest of ineradicable quitch. 615 

" Then from her Elid fount arose the bride 
" Of Alpheus: — backward o'er her shoulders fair 
" She tossed her streaming locks and spoke. ' Thou, 
" « Mother of that lost Maid through all the World 
" ' So sought, — Great Parent of all kindly grain 620 

" ' That Terra yields, — thy mighty toil give o'er, — 
" ' Nor with thy wrath unmerited the Earth, 
" ' That loves thee, visit ! Guiltless of all wrong 
" ' Is Earth : — unwilling through her breast she gave 
" ' The Spoiler way. Not for my native land 625 

" ' I ask thy pity — far away it lies 
" ' By Pisa; and, in Elis born, I dwell 
" ' In Sicily, a stranger. But no soil 
" ' Like this I love, and Arethusa's home 

And household-Gods are here. Thy mercy here, 630 
' Sweet Goddess, grant ! To tell why thence I came, 
1 And through what breadths of Ocean- waves my streams 



a t 



158 SONG OF CALLIOPE. [Book V. 

" ' Ortygia reached, a fitter time may come 

" ' When all thy cares are quieted, and smiles 

" ' That gracious face revisit. All the depths 635 

" ' Of Earth I traverse: — where her caverns lie 

" ' Darkest and nethermost I pass, and here 

" ' Uprising, look once more upon the Stars. 

" ' And in my course I saw her ! Yea, these eyes, 

" ' As past the Stygian realm my waters rolled, 640 

" * Proserpina beheld ! Still sad she seemed, 

" ' And still her cheek some trace of terror wore, 

" ' But all a Queen, and, in that dismal world, 

" ' Greatest in place and majesty, — the wife 

" ' Of that tremendous God who rules in Hell ! ! 645 

" Astounded, fixed as stone, the Mother heard 
" The tale; and long in wondering trance she stood; 
" But grief had way, and roused her. Swift to Heaven 
" She sped her car: — and, with dishevelled locks, 
" Her face with gloom o'ercast, before Jove's throne 650 
" With earnest suit for justice told her wrong. 
" ' For mine own blood, — for thine too, Jupiter,— 
" ' Behold me suppliant ! K the Mother now 
" ' Plead idly, let the child her Father move! 
" ' Oh! right her not the less that I it was 655 

" ' Who gave her birth ! At last so dearly sought 
" * I find my Daughter: — Find 1 ? — nay, rather lose! 
" * HI may'st thou call it finding, but to know 
" ' Her place of durance. For the violence done 
" ' I pardon it, so He but give her back. 660 

" l No Eobber-Husband Proserpine should wed, — 
" c Whose insult shames Jove's Daughter, — if not mine ! ' 

" Calmly Jove interposed: — ' To thee and me 



Book V.] THE FATE OF PROSERPINA. 1 59 

' ' The Maid alike is precious. Give we tilings 

1 ' Their proper names. 'Twas Love, not hrutal force, 665 

1 ' That to this deed impelled. Such Son-in-law 

' ' So thou but own him, Goddess, is no shame. 

1 ' Were there naught else, is Jove's own Brother-born 

For nothing counted 1 "What, if next my own 
' ' Fate gives him widest Empire? Wilt thou urge 670 
< < Thy quarrel still 2— Then be it so ! Thy child 
■ ' On one condition only back to Day 
' ' Eeturns — if in that nether Eealm no food 
' ' Her lips have passed. So have the Fates decreed ! ' 
' He said: — and Ceres deemed her child restored. 675 

( The Fates had willed it otherwise. Her fast 
1 The Bride had broken. Thoughtless, as she roved 
' Amid the gardens of the Shades, her hand 
' One ripe pomegranate from its branch had plucked, 
1 And of its grains thrice two and one had felt 680 

1 The pressure of her teeth. Ascalaphus 
1 Alone had seen it, whom to Acheron 
' Orphne, most famous of Avernian lymphs, 
1 Erewhile had in her darkling caverns borne. 
1 He saw: — and cruel what he saw he told: 685 

1 And all return was barred. For ever Queen 
1 Of Erebus was Proserpine. One moan 
1 Of grief she gave, — and to a bird transformed 
' The Spy. With water snatched from Phlegethon 
' His brow she sprinkled. Instant, beak and plumes 690 
' And larger eyes were his, and tawny wings 
1 His altered form uplifted, and his head 
1 Swelled disproportioned to his size : his nails 
1 Curved crooked into claws, — and heavily 



i6o 



SONG OF CALLIOPE. 



" His pinions beat the air. A bird accursed, 
" Angur of coming sorrow, still to Man 
" Ill-ominous and hateful flits the Owl. 



[Book V. 
695 



IX. "So, haply not unmerited, his fate 
The Tell-tale met. But ye — what had ye done 
Daughters of Acheloiis, that with plume 700 

And claw, and bird-like, save the virgin-face 
That yet ye keep, ye soar 1 Were ye too there 
Sporting amid the mates of Proserpine, 
Ye Sirens, when those vernal flowers she culled 1 
Did ye too wander in that fruitless quest, 705 

And, when the Earth was traversed, ask for wings 
To search the breadth of Ocean 1 — Ah ! the Gods 
Heard ye too well, — and sudden o'er your limbs 
Transformed that cloak of golden plumage flung ! 
But for the dulcet strain, the gift of Song, 710 

That ravish mortal ears, They spared ye these, — 
And Maiden-face and human voice remained. 



X. " But now impartial Jove had reconciled 

His Brother and his Sister. 'Twixt the twain 

Equal he shared the rolling year : and so 715 

In either world the Queen of Erebus 

Had common honour : — half her months on Earth 

Her Mother claimed ; her Husband half in Hell. 

And Ceres was herself again : — alike 

Body and Soul were lightened, and her face, 720 

Gloomy but now as that of Dis himself, 

Smiled once again. So smiles the God of Day 

When through the watery clouds that veil his orb 



Book V.] ALPHEUS AND ARETHUSA. l6l 

" He bursts, and beams victorious on the World. 

" And, for her Child discovered now at ease, 725 

" To Arethuse she turned. ' Now tell' — she said — 

" { TThat hither led thy wandering course, and how 

" ' Thy place amid the sacred founts was won.' 

" The waves were smoothed — and from their depths the 

Nymph, 
" Her head uplifting, sleeked her emerald locks, 730 

" And of Alpheus' wooing told the tale. 

" ' Achaia was my birthplace. Of her lymphs 
" ' More eager none in chase her forests tracked, 
" ' None defter spread the toils. Active and strong 
" c For beauty's fame I sought not : — not the less 735 

u ' Men called me beautiful. But in my soul 
"'I loathed the praise that charms all women else: 
" ' And, when they told me that my face was fair, 
" ' Blushed for my face, and deemed it crime to please. 

" ' Upon a day — ah ! well that day I mind ! — 740 

" ' It chanced, that wearied from Styniphalus' grove 
" ' I wended : — sultry glowed the Noon, and toil 
" ' Had doubled all its fervours. To a stream 
" ' I came. Without a ripple or a sound 
" ' So smooth its waters glided, scarce they seemed 745 
" 'To move at all; and clear beneath the flood 
" ' Its pebbles might be counted : — o'er its banks 
" ' Shelving the pale-leafed willow flung its shade, 
" ' And the wave-nurtured poplar. I approached, 
" ' And first my foot I dipped, and then my knee, 750 

" ' Then, tempted by the coolness, loosed my zone 
" ' And on a willow-branch my mantle hung 
" 'And plunged beneath the wave; and dived, and swam, 

L 



1 62 SONG OF CALLIOPE. [Book V. 

" ' And with all sportive stroke of oary arms 
" ' Cleft at my will the flood: — when from its depths 755 
" ' Strange murmur swelled, and terrified I sought 
" ' The bank that nearest lay. Behind me, hoarse, 
" ' The Kiver-God, for He it was, arose: — 
' ' ' Stay Arethusa ! Arethusa stay ! 

" ' Whither would'st fly 1 ' Upon the farther bank 760 
" ' My vest was hung; and, naked as I was, 
" 1 1 fled, — he followed. So disrobed I seemed 
" ' An easier prize. As when the trembling Dove 
" l Flies the pursuing Hawk, — as when the Hawk 
" ' Pursues the trembling Dove, — so sped we both, 765 
" ' I chased, he chasing. Past Orchomenos, 
" ' Past Psophis and Cyllene, past the glades 
"/Of Msenalus, athwart the breezy steep 
" * Of Erymanthus, over Elis' bounds 

" ' I held my flight: — for I was swift as he, 770 

" ' But stronger he than I, and better-breathed 
" 'For lengthened course; and weariless his force 
" ' Outmatched my weaker powers. But still, by plain 
" ' And shaded knoll, by crag and rock, where way 
li i Was rough or none, I fled. The Sun sloped low 775 
" ' Behind us, and before my feet his form, 
" ; Gaining, a lengthening shadow threw, — or so 
" ' At least my terror fancied. Nearer yet 
" ' His foot-fall echoed, and his panting breath 
" 'Played on my streaming locks. Weary, and faint, 780 
I could no more. " Help me, or I am lost !" 
I gasped — " Dictynna ! help thine own true maid ! 
" ' " If ever faithfully this hand hath borne 
tt ( a T n y "b ow? thy quiver, help !" The Goddess heard 



a i 
u i 



Book V.] ARETHUSA MADE A FOUNTAIN. 163 

" 'My cry, and o'er me — from the rack disjoined — 785 

" ' A fleecy cloud she threw. The baffled God 

" ' Groped blindly round and round. The airy veil 

" ' Concealed me from his eager search; and twice 

" ' Around the spot which hid me, hot in quest, 

" ' But seeing naught, he circled; twice his voice 790 

" ' Shouted " Ho ! Arethusa !" Judge what fear 

" ' Was mine ! The Lamb that, howling round the fold, 

" ' The hungry "Wolf hath startled, or the Hare 

" 'That quaking in her form the closing pack 

•" 'Around her sees, and dares nor stay nor stir, 795 

" ' May match it. Still he lingers, for no trace 

" ' Of foot-print sees he farther. Bound the spot 

" ' And round the cloud he hunts. From all my limbs 

" ' Oozed the cold sweat of terror: from my form 

" ' The drops fell fast : round either foot a pool 800 

" ' Gathered; and from my tresses rained the dew: — 

" ' And, quicker than I tell the tale, dissolved 

" ' I melted to a Fountain ! — Then he knew 

" ' The waters that he loved, and flung aside 

" ' His human shape assumed, and would have blent 805 

" ' With mine his mingled flood. But Delia struck 

" ' The Earth, and through its darksome caverns deep 

" ' I sank, and rolled, till in Ortygia here, 

" ' Proud of the Goddess' name it bears, I rose, 

" ' And looked once more upon the light of Heaven.' 810 

XL " So ran the tale of Arethuse. — And now 
" The Goddess to her car the Dragons twain 
" Had yoked and bridled, and aloft through air 
" Midway 'twixt Earth and Sky to Athens held 



164 THE PIERIDES [Book V. 

" Her course, and, grateful, to Triptolemus 815 

" The chariot lent; and taught him with what seed 

" The virgin-soil to fertilise, and how 

" To bid the rested fallows teem once more. 

" Through Europe and through Asia in that car 

" Sublime the youth was borne. To Scythia last 820 

" He came, where Lyncus reigned, and at his gates - 

" Sought hospitable shelter. Whence he came, 

" And how, and why, and what his name and race 

" First asked the King. ' My natal soil' — he said — 

" 'Is Athens, — noblest City; and my name 825 

" ' Triptolemus. And, nor with sail on sea, 

" ' Nor foot on shore, I travel ! Through the air 

" ' Heaven yields me pathway. To the world I bear 

" 'The gifts of gracious Ceres: — scatter them 

" 'Through all thy spacious fields, and reap the boon 830 

" ' Of harvest and all kindly food of man !' 

" Envious the Savage heard, and, covetous 
" Himself the glory of such goodly gifts 
" To win, his guest in friendly guise received, 
" And on his wearied rest perfidious stole, 835 

" And with false blade had stabbed him as he lay, 
" But Ceres stayed his lifted arm, and changed 
" The traitor to a Lynx; — and roused the youth 
" And bade him yoke the Car, and urge once more 
" The sacred Dragons on their airy way. 840 

XII. " So closed her lay the greatest of our band j — 
" And all the umpire Nymphs accordant judged 
" The victory ours. But into outcry loud 
" The conquered Sisters broke, and at the doom 



Book V.] TURNED TO MAGPIES. 1 65 

" And at the Judges railed. Calliope 845 

" Spake stern: — 'It not suffices then' — she said — 

" ' To stir this contest, — to deserve such doom 

" ' As such a challenge claimed; — ye needs must crown 

" ' Your fault with curses ! If ye will not brook 

" ' Our patience, suffer then our punishment ! 850 

" ' We give our wrath its way !' Scoffing the threat 

" The iEmathians heard: — but, as they strove to speak, 

" And clamorous rose with angry hands, and show 

" Unseemly made of strife, — their nails were curved 

" In claws, — their lifted arms with plumes were clad, — 855 

" And each her Sister's face with rigid beak 

" Saw sharpened. Fluttering to the woods they rose, 

" Xew people of the air, — and wretched beat 

" In sign of grief the wings which late were arms, — 

" The Grove's disgrace, — a flock of chattering Pies, — 860 

" And still incontinent of tongue, and hoarse 

"And dissonant with everlasting screech." 



THE 

METAMORPHOSES 

OF 

PUBLIUS OVIDIUS NASO 



BOOK VI 



THE METAMORPHOSES. 



BOOK VI. 

I. So listened Pallas to the Aonian Maids, 
And praised their song, and owned their vengeance just : 
Then, to herself, — " Praise be where praise is due, — 
" My own remains to claim ; — nor unavenged 
" A Goddess may "be challenged ! " — and she turned 5 

Her thought to that Mseonian Maid, whose doom 
The Pates ordained, Arachne, — she whose skill 
In all the labours of the loom was deemed 
To match her own. Of lowly birth, no line 
Of famous ancestry was hers ; — her art 1 o 

Was all her fame. Of Colophon her Sire, 
Idmon, of all his craft-mates deftest knew 
With purple of Phocsea how to tinge 
The wool he dyed. Her Mother long ago 
Was dead, — in birth and blood her husband's mate. 1 5 

But, spite of humble strain, through all the towns 
Of Lydia had her labours won renown, 
And lone Hypaepe, where she dwelt, her fame 
Made famous. To admire her work the Nymphs 



I/O ARACHNE TURNED TO A SPIDER. [Book VI. 

The vines of Tmolus left, and from thy waves 20 

Pactolus, nocked the Naiads. Nor alone 

The finished work allured them, bnt the toil 

Itself was worth the seeing, snch a grace 

In all her labour charmed, or if she wound 

In gathered hall the wool, or with quick hand 25 

The needle plied, or with the comb the fleece 

To cloud-like softness wrought, or dexterous twirled 

The spindle. Pallas' self, they swore, her art 

Had taught her. But the Maid that pupilage 

Indignant disavowed, and scorned to own 30 

Such teacher: — "Let her come" — she cried — "and try 

" With me her skill, — and, if she conquer, mine 

" Be then what doom she will!" And Pallas came, 

Veiled in the semblance of an ancient crone, 

White-haired, and on a staff her tottering steps 35 

Sustaining; — and thus spoke: — "Not useless all 

" Doth hoary age o'ertake us; with long life 

" Experience comes. I counsel thee, my rede 

" Thou spurn not. Over mortals be thy fame 

" Por skill, unquestioned, first : — but challenge not 40 

" A Goddess ! and, with better thought, for boast 

" Too high ask pardon: — ask, and she forgives!" 

Furious upon her looked the Maid, her task 

So broken, — and almost her hand, irate, 

She raised, and all her cheek with wrath was flushed, 45 

And fiercely to the Goddess so disguised 

She answered — " Hence ! old dotard ! Sure with years 

" Thy blood is cold, thy sense outworn ! long life 

" Hath left thee but a fool ! Go ! moralise 

" Thy daughters, if thou hast them, — to the wives 50 



Book VI.] ARACHXE TURNED TO A SPIDER. IJ\ 

" Preach of thy sons ! To me my proper sense 

" Is counsellor sufficient. For thy rede, 

" I mock it ! and the praise I claimed, I claim ! 

" Why comes she not herself] Why doth she shun 

" The contest 1 "— " She is here ! " the Goddess said, 55 

And flung aside the mask of withered eld, 

And stood confessed. Reverent the Xymphs, the Alaids 

Mygdonian bowed before her. But alone 

Unawed Arachne stood. Though o'er her cheek 

With flush, soon fading, coursed the blood, — as Day 60 

Glows purple when Aurora wakes, and pales 

In the white heat of noon, — and obstinate 

She held her purpose, madly covetous 

That palm to win, and rushed upon her doom. 

For now no longer shunned the child of Jove 65 

The contest, or more warning gave : and each 

Her station took. The looms were set, — the webs 

Were hung : beneath their ringers nimbly plied 

The subtle fabrics grew, and warp and woof, 

Transverse, with shuttle and with slay compact 70 

Were pressed in order fair. And either girt 

Her mantle close, and eager wrought ; the toil 

Itself was pleasure to the skilful hands 

That knew so well their task. With Tyrian hue 

Of purple blushed the texture, and all shades 7 5 

Of colour, blending imperceptibly 

Each into each. So, when the wondrous bow — 

What time some passing shower hath dashed the sun — 

Spans with its mighty arch the vault of Heaven, 

A thousand colours deck it, different all, 80 

Yet all so subtly interfused, that each 



172 ARACHNE TURNED TO A SPIDER. [Book VI. 

Seems one with that which joins it, and the eye 

But by the contrast of the extremes perceives 

The intermediate change. — And last, with thread 

Of gold embroidery pictured, on the web 85 

Life-like expressed, some antique fable glowed. 



II. Pallas in her Cecropian citadel 
The Hill of Mars designed, and that dispute 
Held in old time for right to name the town. 
Twice six the Gods sate reverend on their thrones, 90 

Jove in the midst, with all his majesty 
Presented, and the others recognised 
Each in his portraiture. There stood the God 
Of Seas, and with his trident seemed to smite 
The rugged rock, and from the cleft out-sprang 95 

The Steed that for its author claimed the town. 
Herself, with shield and spear of keenest barb 
And helm, she painted; — on her bosom gleamed 
The iEgis : — with her lance's point she struck 
The earth, and from its breast the Olive bloomed, 100 

Pale, with its berried fruit : — and all the Gods 
Admiring gazed, adjudging in that strife 
The victory hers. Then, that her rival well 
Might read what doom her frenzied pride provoked, 
In the four angles of the web, she drew 105 

Pour contests, in proportion less, but each 
With life-like hues depicted. Ehodope 
Was first, and Hsemus — wind-swept mountains now — 
But mortals erst, who with o'erweening pride 
Assumed the style of Gods. And next, the fate no 

Of that Pygmsean Queen, who with the spouse 



Book VI.] ARACHNE TURNED TO A SPIDER. 1 73 

Of Jove had vied, and, to a Crane transformed, 

AVaged on the tribes she ruled eternal war. 

Antigone was third : — she too had dared 

To rival Juno, and in "bird-like shape 115 

That impious daring rued • — nor all her birth 

In Hion, nor Laomedon her sire 

To save her aught availed : — a Stork she flew, 

And still with snowy plume and clattering beak 

Self-pleased claims notice. Fourth was Cinyras 120 

The Assyrian ; — on a temple's steps he lay 

Weeping, and with vain kisses seemed to press 

The stones, erewhile his daughters, so for pride 

To marble changed. And with her proper tree 

She crowned the work, and woven round its marge 125 

A wreath of peaceful olive twined its leaves. 

Europa by that seeming Bull beguiled 
Arachne drew ; the Bull had life, — the waves 
Had motion : — backward seemed her glance to seek 
The shore she left, — her lips to call her mates 130 

To aid her, — and her delicate feet to shrink 
From the first contact of the deepening Sea. 
Asterie struggled in the Eagle's grasp : — 
O'ershadowed by the Swan's enfolding wings 
Lay Leda. In a Satyr's shape disguised 135 

Jove filled with twins Antiope the child 
Of Nycteus ; — in Amphitryon's likeness won 
His spouse, — and in a golden rain the tower 
Of Danae entered ; — in a flame of fire 

Played round Asopus' child, — in Shepherd guise 140 

Mnemosyne deceived, — in Serpent's form 
Deois. And Thee too, great Neptune, Lord 



174 ARACHNE TURNED TO A SPIDER. [Book VI. 

Of Ocean, for iEolian Arne's sake 

A Steer, she pictured, — for Aloeiis' spouse 

A Kiver-God, — and for Bisaltus' child 145 

Theophane, a Earn. In stallion's form 

The Parent of all harvests golden-haired 

Thy passion proved : — ere yet her locks to snakes 

Were changed, the mother of the winged steed 

Knew thee, a Fowl ; — and, in thy proper realm 150 

Of waves, a Dolphin's form Melantho won. 

All these with likeness fair, and circumstance 

Of truth, she drew. Kor Phoebus there was lacked 

In herdsman's shape disguised, or veiled with plumes 

Of falcon, or in shaggy lion's hide 155 

Concealed, or in a shepherd's rustic garb 

With Lesbian Isse toying. Hidden there 

In his own blushing grape great Liber won 

Erigone ; — and Saturn's self, a steed, 

Pilled the Mare-mother with her Centaur-son. 160 

And round the border of the finished toil 

In slender wreath ran flowers of every hue, 

With green of flexile ivy intertwined. 

III. Not Pallas, nay, not Envy's self, could fault 
In all the work detect : — but such success 165 

The angry Goddess brooked not. Pierce she tore 
The web that dared the guilty loves of Gods 
To paint, and with her shuttle (of thy box, 
Cytorus, wrought — ) upon her brows the Maid 
Struck twelve times, in her wrath. The high-souled Maid 
Such insult not endured, and round her neck 171 

Indignant twined the suicidal noose, 



Book VI.] STORY OF NIOBE. 175 

And so had died. But, as she hung, some ruth 

Stirred in Minerva's breast : — the pendent form 

She raised, and "Live!" she said — "but hang thou still 

" For ever, wretch! and through all future time 176 

" Even to thy latest race bequeath thy doom ! " 

And, as she parted, sprinkled her with juice 

Of aconite. With venom of that drug 

Infected dropped her tresses, — nose and ear 180 

"Were lost ; — her form to smallest bulk compressed 

A head minutest crowned; — to slenderest legs 

Jointed on either side her fingers changed : 

Her body but a bag, whence still she draws 

Her filmy threads, and, with her ancient art, 185 

Weaves the fine meshes of her Spider's web. 

IV. All Lydia trembled : — through the Phrygian towns 
"Wide flew the rumour of her fate, and filled 
The world with shuddering comment. Mobe, 
Ere yet herself was wedded, while she dwelt 190 

A virgin, in Mseonian Sipylus, 
The Maid had known : — but from Arachne's doom 
Not learned with deference due the powers of Heaven 
To own superior, or repress the pride 

And licence of her tongue. More even than all 195 

The art that famous made her spouse, — the claim, 
Common to both of Heavenly birth and kin, — 
The breadth of realm she ruled, — though these she prized, — 
Her children's number and their beauty swelled 
Her arrogant soul; and of all Mothers far 200 

Had Niobe lived happiest, had herself 
Xot so herself esteemed. Tiresias' child, 



176 STORY OF NIOBE. [Book VI. 

Manto, of all her Father's foresight heir, 

By heavenly impulse stirred, amid the streets 

Of Thebes had stood prophetic : — " Come ! " she cried, 205 

" Ismenides ! your incense and your prayers 

" Make ready, and with laurel wreathe your locks, 

" In honour of Latona and the twins 

" Latona bore. By me the Goddess speaks ! " 

Obedient heard the Matrons, and their gates 210 

With garlands crowned; and altars blazed, and prayers 

With fume of incense mingled rose to Heaven. 

But on the rite broke Mobe, — her train 

Following, the noblest daughters of the land, — 

Glorious in purple mantle rich with gold, 215 

And fair, but for the scorn that in her eyes 

Her beauty marred. O'er either shoulder back 

She flung her flowing locks, and proud her glance 

Looked round: — "What means this madness? Why to 

Gods 
" Unseen, unknown, this worship 1 Wherefore smoke 220 
" These altars to Latona, when to me 
" No incense burns 1 What ! know ye not, my Sire 
" Was Tantalus, alone of mortal strain 
" Allowed with Gods to feast 1 — a Pleiad she 
" Who gave me birth! My Grandsire on one side 225 
" Was Atlas, he whose shoulders strong sustain 
" The weight of Heaven; — on th' other, Jove himself, 
" My Sire-in-law to boot ! — My sceptre sways 
" All Phrygia. Cadmus' realm and palace own 
" In me their Mistress! And the walls which rose 230 
" Eesponsive to my husband's lyre, and all 
" Who people them, to us, their Sovereigns, bow ! 



Book VI.] STORY OF NIOBE. 1 77 

" Turn where I will my glance, unmeasured wealth 

" Salutes it ! To no Goddess in all grace 

" Of form I yield. Seven sons and daughters seven 235 

" Each with fair mate in wedlock joined, or soon 

" To join, I count ! Have I not claim enough, 

" I ask ye, to your reverence ] "Who is she, 

" This child Titanian of some giant Sire, 

" Caeus, or whom I know not, that to me 240 

" Preferred ye honour her ? TThom erst, with pangs 

" Of travail smitten, all creation spurned 

" And gave no resting-place ! Xor sky, nor land, 

" Xor sea received her ! Exile of the World 

" She roamed, and only Delos' petty isle 245 

" The wanderer of the Sea, in pity housed 

" The wanderer of the Earth, and on her soil 

" Unstable gave her refuge. Twins she bore : — 

" Twins 1 — Why my line seven times outnumbers hers ! 

" And blest I am, and blest must ever be, — 250 

" TTho doubts it 1 — so in plenty of all wealth 

" Secured, too rich for Fortune's self to hurt; 

" TTho, rob me as she will, must leave me yet 

" More than she steals ! My greatness is assured 

" Beyond the touch of Fear! Suppose her spite 255 

" Strike at my populous house, — suppose I lose 

" Haply some child or children, — what she leaves 

" Still far outnumbers this Latona's two ! 

" Two 1 — why 'tis next to barrenness ! Away ! 

" Have done with these unmerited rites, and strip 260 

" The laurel from your brows ! " Trembling they heard, 

And left the unfinished service, murmuring low, — 

'Twas all they dared, — for pardon from the Power 

M 



i 7 8 



STORY OF NIOBE. 



[Book VI. 



Forbidden to their vows. But on the steep 

Of Cynthus sate the Goddess, and, with wrath 265 

Transported, to those Twins indignant spake, — 

" Look on me, Children ! I, who gave ye birth, 

" And in that birth so gloried, — I, who yield 

" In place to none save Juno, — doubt if yet 

" Goddess I be, or no, — insulted, spoiled, — 270 

" If ye not help, — of altar and of rite 

" For ages honoured ! Nay, nor this affront 

"Is all ! Yon child of Tantalus her wrong 

" With scurrilous speech embitters, and o'er you 

" For her own brood precedence claims, and dares — 275 

" Deep may she rue the taunt ! — myself to twit 

" For but a barren stock ! — incontinent 

" Of tongue as erst her Father ! " — and with more 

Appeal for aid had ended, but " Enough ! " 

Phoebus and Phoebe cried — " Time runs too slow 280 

" Till we avenge thee ! " and with swift descent 

Shrouded in threatening clouds to Thebes they sped. 

Before the city's walls a spacious plain 
Extended, trampled smooth with frequent hoof 
Of managed steed and wheel of whirling car. 285 

There of Amphion's sons the elder-born 
Their coursers breathed. With purple housing shone 
Their saddles, and their reins were stiff with gold. 
Foremost Ismenus rode, of all the seven 
His mother's earliest burden: — gallantly 290 

His prancing steed he reined, and wheeled, and urged, 
Or curbed, — when lo ! with sudden cry he shrieked ! 
Deep in his bosom stood the fatal dart 
Quivering, and from his grasp relaxed the reins 



Book VI.] STORY OF NIOBE. 1 79 

Fell loose, and o'er his charger's shoulder trailed. 295 

The whizzing of that deadly shaft the ear 
Of Sipylus had caught, and fast he turned 
"With loosened rein. As when the mariner 
Soon as the cloud he spies, of coming squall 
Prescient, all canvas crowds, so not a breath 300 

Of helping wind to miss, and scuds in hope 
To outstrip it, — so fast galloped Sipylus 
With loosened rein : but faster followed him 
The inevitable Death ! Full in the nape 
The arrow struck him, and the glittering point 305 

Beneath his chin stood out ! His courser's neck 
And mane his weight a moment pressed, then prone 
Toppled, and with his blood the plain was red. 
Heir of his grandsire's name, young Tantalus, 
And Phsedimus ill-starred, the morning's sport 310 

Had left, and now, in the Palrestra, breast 
To breast, in amicable contest, strove 
With wrestler's gripe for mastery. Again 
The bow-string twanged, and both at once so linked 
The deadly arrow pierced : — together both 3 1 5 

Shrieking, together fell, together writhed 
In simultaneous death-pang; and, their eyes 
Together closed; — together fled their souls! 
With sorrow at that sight distraught, to aid 
Alphenor rushed, and, madly as he beat 320 

His breast, and clasped their stiffening forms, and strove 
To raise them, in that pious office died ! 
Deep through his inmost heart Apollo's shaft 
Sped fatal : — from the wound the barb he wrenched, 
And with it wrenched his vitals, and his blood 325 



180 STORY OF NIOBE. [Book VI. 

Streamed high in air, and, with the stream, his life. 

Young Damasicthon, on whose cheek the down 

Bloomed yet unshorn, with double wound was next 

To fall. Where thigh and leg uniting meet, 

Eight in the knee-joint pierced the earlier dart; 330 

And, as he strove to pluck it thence, his throat 

Even to its feathered head another pierced, 

And, with convulsive throe expelled, aloft 

In second flight brief-gleaming cleft the air. 

Last of those brethren seven, Ilioneus 335 

To Heaven in vain appeal his hands had raised, 

And " Pity ! all ye Gods ! " he cried — alas ! 

Ignorant of Two to whom all prayer was vain ! 

Though even Apollo, when the shaft had left 

The string, too late was moved. But of them all 340 

His death had least of suffering, and the point 

Just touched his heart, and, as it touched, he died ! 

Rumour's swift tongue — the people's grief — the tears 
Of those around her — to the Mother told 
Too well the ruin of her House : — and yet 345 

That might of Heaven she scarce believed, and raged 
To think that Gods such vengeance dared to wreak, 
And had the power to wreak it. But, by this, 
The wretched Sire, Amphion, too, his woes 
And life at once with suicidal sword 350 

Had ended. Ah ! Who now in Mobe 
That Mobe could recognise, who late 
Contemptuous from Latona's altars drove 
Her worshippers, who late with tossing head 
Proud paced the streets of Thebes, by all her train 355 

All-envied % — now, even to her direst foe 



Book VI.] STORY OF NIOBE. l8l 

A sorrow and a pity ! Prostrate flung 

O'er the cold corses of her slaughtered sons, 

Xow this, now that, her kisses press, and wild 

With livid arms to Heaven outspread she shrieks, 360 

" Yes ! triumph, cruel Goddess ! Feed, feed full 

" Thy malice with my grief ! thy savage heart 

M Glut with my pangs, who in these murdered seven 

" Seven deaths myself endure ! Exult ! thy might 

" Hath conquered ! conquered 1 — nay ! not yet ! My wealth 

" Even in my misery richer far remains 366 

" Than thine in all thy Fortune ! Half I lose, 

" And yet with half I beat thee ! "—Terrible 

While yet she spoke, again the bow-string twanged, 

And all, but she, heard trembling. In her soul 370 

Grief had o'ermastered Fear ! — With sable robes 

And trailing tresses round the funeral-biers 

The Sisters seven were ranged. One from her breast 

The arrow plucked, and o'er her brother's corse 

Sank in the swoon of Death! To Xiobe 375 

A second flew, but ere her tongue could frame 

One word of sorrowing solace, once again 

Unseen the shaft had sped, and in a heap 

Huddled she fell, and from her parting lips, 

Closed in eternal silence, fled the life. 380 

This in vain flight was stricken; — that, her corse 

Embracing died : — one idly strove to hide, — 

One powerless trembling stood, an easy mark : — 

And six with various wound had bled. Alone 

The seventh was left; and wild before her form 385 

The Mother flung her own, and spread her robe 

In effort vain to shield her. — " Spare me this! 



182 



THE LYCIAN BOORS 



[Book VI. 



" My last ! my least !" slie shrieked — " tliis little one ! 

" My all of seven ! my youngest ! Leave me this ! 

" This one!" — And, in her very arms, the cljild 390 

For whom she prayed was slain ! Among her Dead 

Childless and Husband-less she sate ! Her woe 

Froze all the life within her. Not a hair 

Stirred in the breeze, — her cheeks were colourless, — 

Her eyes were fixed, — in all her form no sign 395 

Of sense or motion. In her rigid throat 

The tongue was stiffened, and all course of blood 

In all her veins arrested. Neck, and arm, 

And foot their flexile uses lost, and cold 

Within to stone her very vitals turned : — 400 

Tears only welled unfrozen. Then there rose 

A mighty Wind, and swept her thence, and set 

High on a mountain-summit far away 

In her fair native land. There still she wastes, 

And still the rock is dank with oozing tears. 405 






Y. So at the Goddess' terrible vengeance bowed 
Trembling, all Thebes ; and with redoubled rite 
Appeased the Mother of the mighty Twins : 
And, in the people's fashion, late events 
With past compared. " I mind me well" — quoth one- 
" How once of old the Lycian peasants woke, 
" To all their cost, her anger. Mean of rank 
" They were, — and such with little comment die, — 
" Yet strange enough their fate ! Myself have seen 
" The lake wherein the miracle was wrought, 
" Known to tradition yet. My Sire was old 
" And now to toil unequal. I was charged 



411 



4i5 



Book VI] TURNED TO FROGS. 183 

" With conduct of his herds; and, as far off 

" Their pasture lay, a guide he sent with me 

" Of Lycian birth. And, in our way, we came 420 

" Upon an ancient altar, black with stain 

" Of sacrificial smoke, and girt around 

" With reeds that whispering waved. Sudden my guide 

" 'Be gracious to us, Goddess!' murmured low, 

"And I 'Be gracious, Goddess!' echoed him: — 425 

"And 'Whose' — I asked — 'yon altar? — to some Faun, 

" ' Or Naiad, or some native Deity 

" 'Erected, as I judge.' 'Not so,' — he said — 

" ' No rural God claims honour here, but Hers 

" ' It is whom jealous Juno in her wrath 430 

" ' Forbade the World to shelter, — Hers, whom erst 

" ' The wandering isle of Delos, ere its place 

" ' Was fixed in Ocean, hardly at her prayer 

" ' Eeceived, and, couched beneath its shade of palms 

" ' With Pallas' olive mingled, saw her bear 435 

" ' The Twins whose birth so vexed their Step-Dame's soul ! 

" ' Thence too, 'tis said, Latona — scarce her pangs 

" ' O'erpast — by Juno's spite was driven, and fled, — 

" ' An infant Deity at either breast, — 

" ' To Lycia, where Chimaera erst was born. 440 

" ' The Sun had scorched the fields, — the weary way 

" ' And sultry Noon had parched her, — and her breasts 

" ' Those little lips had dried. But, in a vale, 

" ' A limpid lake she marked, whereat a band 

" ' Of peasants gathered osier, rush, and sedge, 445 

" ' And all the watery growth that there was rife, — 

" ' And down she knelt, and bent her to the wave, 

" ' And would have drunk : — but from the cooling flood 



184 LYCIAN BOORS TURNED TO FROGS. [Book VI. 

" ' The loutish rabble drove her. What ! — she cried — 

" ' Ye grudge me water 1 ? — Water sure to all 450 

" ' Is common ! Nature not for this or that 

" ' The light of Day created, or the air 

" ' Outspread, or poured the wave; — for all alike 

" ' She made them. In the general stock my share 

" ' Is all I claim. But, of your charity 455 

" ' Give what of right I waive. I seek not, — I, — 

" ' These weary limbs within your fount to lave, 

" ' One draught is all I ask. My throat is dry, 

" ' My lips are parched; — barely they yield my voice 

" ' Its way. One drop of yonder spring to me 460 

" ' Were nectar, — life renewed : — 'tis life itself 

"'I beg of ye ! Oh ! let these little ones 

" * I bear, your pity move ! — And, as she spoke, 

" ' The unconscious Infants spread their baby-arms. 

" ' Was it in Nature such appeal so urged 465 

" ' To spurn ? — The boors back thrust her, and, with threat 
" 'And jeer inhuman, bade her thence " Begone!" 
" ' Nor that was all; with foot and hand they fouled 
" ' The water's crystal, and with wanton spite 
" ' Stirred from its depths o'er all its face the mud. 470 
" 'Her thirst was lost in wrath: — nor more she deigned » 
" ' To plead with those unworthy clowns, or stoop 
" ' To prayers ill suited to a Goddess' lips. 
" ' To her full height she rose, and to the skies 
" ' Her hands upraised : — Keep then your pool ! — she cried — 
" 'And dwell in it for ever! And the curse 476 

" ' Wrought instant. Now beneath the wave they dive, 
" ' Submerged and lost to sight, — and now their heads 
" 'Kise peering round the margin; — now they cleave 



Book VI. ] STORY OF MARSYAS. 1 85 

" ' The surface; — now upon the banks they squat 480 

" ' And leap, and dive, and rise again. And still 
" ' Their foul tongues rail in quarrel, — shameless still 
" ' Eeneath the flood they croak, and croaking seem 
" ' To strive for curses. Harsh and dissonant 
" ' Their voice, — their throats are sworn and puffed, — their 
mouths 485 

" ' Unsightly broadened gape, and scarce a trace 
M ' Of neck, where head and body join, remains. 
" ' Green are their backs; their bellies — of their bulk 
" ' Well-nigh the whole — a yellowish white. So plunge 
" ' Beneath their muddy pool the new-made Frogs.'" 490 

VI. So of those Lycian hinds transformed the tale 
One told : — Another, of the Satyr's fate, 
Whom, worsted in the contest who could fill 
Most musical Minerva's reed, the Son 

Of Leto flayed alive, "Alas!" he yelled 495 

Writhing, "Why strip me from myself? I own 
" My fault, but ah! too cruel is my doom! 
" Too barbarous torment for a paltry pipe!" 
And, as he shrieked, the wretch's skin was stripped, 
And one raw wound he stood, with blood all o'er 500 

Exuding crimsoned ! Xerve and vein lay bare, 
And every quivering fibre of his breast, 
And all his vitals visible throbbed : — the eye 
Might count each pulse of being ! For his fate 
Long mourned the rural Deities ; the Fauns 505 

And Satyrs wept, and, famous in that time, 
Olympus, erst his pupil, — and the Nymphs, 
And every shepherd on the mountain-side 



1 86 TALE OF TEREUS, [Book VI. 

Who fed Ms fleecy flocks, and every herd 

Tending his horny charge. Earth drank his blood, 510 

His tears, — and from her fertile veins restored 

In water hade them gush, and to the sea 

Down a steep bed a rapid river ran, 

Marsyas, the clearest far of Phrygian streams. 

VII. But, from those legends to their present loss 515 
Eecalled, Amphion's fate, his hapless race 

Extinct, they mourned : and loud on Mobe 

Their censure fell. Alone, they say, for her 

Her brother, Pelops, wept, and weeping rent 

His mantle, and the ivory miracle 520 

Of his left shoulder bared, that at his birth 

In fleshly hue and substance matched the right. 

The Gods — so runs the tale — what time of yore 

His Sire had butchered him, his mangled limbs 

Collecting reunited. All save one 525 

They found : but what on the left side should link 

The neck and upper arm, was lost. That space 

With ivory, wrought to serve for lacking flesh, 

They filled, and Pelops so once more was whole. 

VIII. Erom all the regions round to Thebes the chiefs 
Commiserating came : — each city charged 531 
Her noblest with condolence. Argos sent, 

And Sparta, and Mycsenas, heritage 

Of Pelops' later line, and Calydon 

In after-time by Dian's anger cursed, 535 

And rude Orchomenos, and Corinth famed 

Eor brass, Messene for its plenteous fields, 



Book VI.] PROCNE, AND PHILOMELA. 1 87 

And Patee ; nor the small Cleonae lacked 

Her envoy : and Neleian Pylos sent 

Her best, and Traezen, later by the line 540 

Of Pittheus ruled ; and all the towns which lie 

Within the Isthmus of the double Sea, 

Or from the Isthmus of the double Sea 

Beyond are viewed. Prom Athens only, none, 

Strange as it seemed, in all the throng were found. 545 

War barred her from that duty. Pound her walls 

Besieged, barbaric hosts from o'er the sea 

Swarmed countless. But with timely succour came 

Tereus of Thrace, and scattered them, and reaped 

Great glory of that field. His wealth was vast, 550 

His realm was wide; from Mars himself he traced 

His lineage : — and Pandion gave his child, 

His Procne, for his bride. That wedlock-bond 

Ill-starred nor patron-Juno smiling blessed, 

£Tor Hymen, nor the Graces : — o'er the rite 555 

The Puries waved their funeral torch — their couch 

The Furies spread, and with foreboding hoot 

Above the nuptial chamber screeched the owl. 

Foredoomed to woe they wedded, and foredoomed 

To woe their child was born. But Thrace was loud 560 

In gratulation, and themselves the Gods 

Thanked for their happiness, and grateful kept 

The day which made them one, and that which gave 

Their Itys birth, with annual festival. 

Ah! little knows our blindness how to seek 565 

Its weal, or shun its woe ! Five times the Sun 

Through Autumn's glow had led the circling year, 

When Procne sought her lord, and for a boon 



1 88 TALE OF TEREUS, [Book VI. 

Caressing pleaded. " If thou lovest me, 

" Give me to see my sister ! Let me go 570 

" To her, — or bring her here. No lengthened stay 

" Shall keep her : — with that pledge her Sire assure : — 

" But give her to these eyes, and as a God 

" My thanks shall hold thee honoured! " — On the seas 

Instant he launched his fleet, and oar and sail 575 

Plied ceaseless, till within Piraeus' port 

His anchoring galley rode. The welcome past, — 

The clasp of hand returned, — he tells the cause 

That brings him, and his consort's suit, with pledge 

Of quick return for her he comes to fetch. 580 

And, as he speaks, lo ! Philomela comes, 

Eich in all choice array, but richer far 

In native beauty. Not more fair than she 

The Naiads and the Dryads of the Grove 

Had seemed, though equal-decked. And in the breast 

Of Tereus, as he gazed, unhallowed flame 586 

Was kindled, rapid as when, mischievous, 

One fires the dry ripe standing corn, or sets 

With careless spark the hay-loft in a blaze. 

In sooth, her face was passing fair, — and he, 590 

Sprung of a race for amorous prowess famed, 

Was nature-prone to lust, and with his birth 

The vice was born and grew. To bribe her train, — 

To tempt with lavish hand her nurse's faith, 

E'en though it cost his kingdom's worth in gold, 595 

Was his first impulse • — then, to bear her thence 

By force, and hold his prize, come war come wrack, 

Against all Greece in arms : — no plan too bold, 

Too mad for that mad passion, scarce restrained 



Book VI.] PROCNE, AND PHILOMELA. 1 89 

From wild avowal, chafing inwardly 600 

At every moment's hindrance. Love his tongue 

Made eloquent, and earnestly he pressed 

In Procne's suit his own. " 'Twas Procne's prayer 

" He urged, — and thus 'twas Procne hade him pray," — 

And wept, as though his Procne bade him weep ! 605 

Alas ! what midnight-darkness overclouds 

The blinded sight of man ! His very zeal 

Seemed but the husband's honest love : — the guilt 

That gave his suit its fervour was his praise ! 

.And Philomela lent her prayers : — around 610 

Her father's neck her fondling arms she flung, 

And for her weal — alas ! and for her woe ! — 

Besought him let her go ! The Thracian's lust 

Anticipative gloated as he saw : — 

Each kiss, each soft endearment, was but food 615 

Of torch and fuel to the unholy fire 

That raged within ; and every fond embrace 

That clasped her father, made him long to be 

That father, — so scarce guilty more than now ! 

So, by their joint entreaty won, the sire 620 

At last gave way; and warm his daughter's thanks 

Flowed for that boon, to both such happiness — 

Unhappy ! as she thought, — to both such woe ! 

And now the Day-God's journey nigh was done, 

And down Olympus' westering slope the steeds 625 

That whirl his chariot sped. The festal board 

Was spread, — with wine the golden bowls were crowned, — 

And all to rest betook them. One alone, 

The Thracian Monarch, feverish-tossing lay. 

Memory each grace of gesture, form, and face 630 



190 TALE OF TEREUS, [Book VI. 

Recalled and heightened ; charms yet unrevealed 

His lustful fancy drew at will, and fed 

The fire within him, — sleepless, — passion-spelled. 

And now 'twas Morn. "With earnest clasp his hand 

Pandion pressed, and, well as starting tears 635 

Would let him, to his charge his child consigned. 

"Tereus!" he said — "dear Son-in-law! the prayers 

" Of these, and thine, have conquered : — Sister's love 

" I own, hath sacred claim. To thee I trust 

" My daughter ! By thy faith, thy kindred-bond, 640 

" By all the Gods I charge thee, tender her , 

" As with a Father's care. And keep not long 

" This one sole solace of my weary age : — 

" Soon as thou canst restore her ! Every day 

"Tome will seem an age. And Thou, my child, 645 

" My Philomela — 'tis enough to lose 

" One daughter banished — if thou lov'st me, soon 

" Back to thy Father's arms, oh! soon return!" 

So spake he, — and with many a tear and kiss 

The fond appeal was broken. And he clasped 650 

Within his own, in pledge of faith, the hands 

Of both, and bade them kiss for him his child 

And grandchild, and "Farewell!" he would have said, 

But sobs convulsive choked him, — and his soul 

Sank with prophetic sense of coming woe. 655 

'Twas done ! — the Maid embarked — the foaming wave 

Flashed from the rapid oars — the shore was left ! 

"Mine! mine!" the Thracian cried exulting — "mine 

" I hold the prize I craved!" — and scarce he checked 

His instant triumph, and with lustful gaze 660 

Dwelt gloating on his prey, — as when the Bird 



Book VL] PROCNE, AND PHILOMELA. I91 

Of Jove hath in his crooked talons borne 

Aloft some wretched hare, and in his nest 

Hath laid her, hopeless of escape, and glares 

Cruel upon his victim. Onward sped 665 

The Bark; — the Seas were passed; — the Mariners 

Leaped weary to the strand. Not distant far, 

Deep in the shadow of an ancient wood, 

A solitary Lodge there stood. To this 

The Thracian led the Maiden, tearful, pale 670 

And trembling with vague dread of all things strange, 

And asking for her Sister : — and declared 

Shameless his base intent, alas ! too soon 

Enforced upon a lone unfriended girl, 

Who could but shriek with idle cry for help 675 

On Father, and on Sister, far away, 

And the great Gods of Heaven, who would not hear ! 

A Lamb that, mangled sore, some gray old "Wolf 
Scared from his jaws hath dropped, and trembling left 
Doubtful of life and rescue : — or a Dove 680 

That with her own blood sees her pinions wet, 
And every moment dreads to feel anew 
The swooping Eagle's clutch : — so, all her limbs 
A-quiver, shook the damsel : and, as sense 
Returned, her locks disordered wild she tore, 685 

And, with such moan as passionate mourners use, 
Beat on her breast, and, with abhorrent hands 
Outstretched against him, u O curst wretch!", she cried — 
" Barbarous, inhuman for this horrid deed ! 
" What! were my Father's prayers and pious tears, 690 
" My Sister's yearning love, my Maidenhood 
" Entrusted to thy honour, and the faith 



192 TALE OF TEREUS, [Book VI. 

" Thou ow'st thy wedded wife, — were all in vain? 

" All ties, all kin, thy beastly act hath blurred! 

" A Sister wrongs a Sister's bed, and both 695 

" One husband shames! Oh! what, what have I done 

" That Heaven should curse me thus 1 Ay ! draw the sword 

" Thou clutchest, — steep it in my blood ! and so 

" Fill up thy count of crime ! I would thy hand 

" Had stabbed me ere thy brutal lust embraced, 700 

" And so my Ghost gone stainless to the Shades ! 

" Oh ! if the Gods look on us, — if in Heaven 

" Justice still dwells, — nor with this crime all sense 

" Of right or wrong be lost, — yet, yet thy guilt 

" Shall pay its penalty! Myself, all shame 705 

" Cast to the winds, will thy vile act proclaim, 

" Ay, to the ears of all men, if I may \ 

" Or, if thou hold'st me prisoner, to the woods 

" I shriek it, and the woods shall echo me, 

" And all the air shall ring it, for the Gods, 710 

" If Gods be there, to hear me!" Eage and Fear 

Strove as she spoke within the Tyrant's breast, — 

By both impelled he seized her, and her hands 

Behind her bound, and from its scabbard drew 

The sword his belt sustained. The naked blade 715 

Gave hope of Death, and for the welcome blow 

Her throat was ready. But the Savage grasped 

With pincers fell her tongue, and, as she writhed 

And struggled for appeal, and strove to shriek 

Her Father's name, with that unpitying edge 720 

Shore from its base the member ! — Back the root 

Shrank quivering; on the ground the severed tongue 

Yet murmured, palpitating, as the tail 



Book VI.] PROCNE, AND PHILOMELA. 193 

Of some new-sundered serpent palpitates, 

And, stiffening, to its mistress seemed to point! 725 

Nor, — horror of all horrors, past belief, — 

Even yet his lust was quenched, and on the form 

So maimed again his filthy rape was wrought ! 

So, laden with that crime to Procne back 
He dares to go: — and Procne's first demand 730 

Is for her Sister. "Ah!" he cries — and tears 
And sighs attest his tale, — "upon the Seas 
" Our Philomela died!" Her funeral rites 
His lying tongue narrates. Could Procne guess 
The falsehood? Prom her shoulders white she rent 735 
The mantle golden-fringed, and robed in black, 
As mourners use, an empty tomb she reared, 
And with all pious honours sought to soothe 
The fancied Shade, and for her Sister's fate, 
Not so to be lamented, made lament. 740 

So through the Signs of Heaven the circling Sun 
Wore out a year. What help was Philomel's, 
Prisoned and guarded in those dungeon-walls 
Of massive stone, and impotent to tell 
The horrid act that wronged her 1 ? — Ah! but Grief 745 

Hath gift to find a vent, and Misery 
Breeds wit at need. Upon the loom she hung 
Her canvas, and with purple thread and white 
Inwove the picture of her shame, and gave 
To one who served her the completed work, 750 

And bade her, with such gesture as she could, 
To bear it to the Queen. Unknowing what 
She bore, she bore it. And the Queen unloosed 
The tie that bound the mantle's roll, and read 

N 



194 



TALE OF TEREUS, 



[Book VI. 



The miserable tale of guilt and shame 

Her sister's hand had traced. JSfo word she spoke — 

How she forbore, I marvel ! — but her grief 

O'ermastered speech, and words, if words had come, 

Had been but poor conveyancers to speak 

The passion of her soul. Nor e'en for tears 

Can she find time. All reck of right or wrong 

Abandoned, from that hour her one sole thought 

Is vengeance ! — 'Twas the season when the Dames 

Of Thrace were wont to celebrate the rites 

Triennial of the Wine-God. In the mirk 

Of midnight was the solemn hour : — the slopes 

Of Ehodope with cymbal-clash and clang 

At midnight echoed : — from her palace-gates 

At midnight passed the Queen, equipped to lead 

The frantic worship, in such guise arrayed 

As best beseemed the frenzy of the hour. 

A vine-wreath bound her brows ; — her weaker side 

A pendent deer-skin draped ; and balanced o'er 

Her shoulder played the thyrsus' lance-like wand. 

Swift through the forest, with her matron-band 

Attendant, terrible she sped. To those 

Who followed seemed it as if Bacchic rage 

Inspired her, ignorant of the proper wrong 

That roused her fury. To the lodge she came, 

And shrieking " Evohe ! Evohe ! " burst the gates 

And seized the captive. Eound her brows she flung 

The ivy ensigns of the God, and back 

Within her palace-walls the astounded maid 

Dragged hurrying. All too well felt Philomel 

Whose halls accurst she entered : — through her veins 



755 



760 



765 



770 



775 



780 



785 



Book VI. ] PROCNE, AND PHILOMELA. 195 

An icy shudder ran, and from her cheeks 

Pale terror drove the blood. But, safe within, 

Her sister plucked the garland from her brows, 

And stooped upon the face that shrank with shame, 

And fondly would have clasped her. She — poor wretch ! — 

Not dared her eyes to raise : — she could but feel 791 

That sister wronged, herself the guilty cause ! 

Though still, while drooped her glance, her eloquent hands, 

The one voice left her, strove, as best they could, 

To call the Gods to witness, that her will 795 

"Was innocent of her crime. But Procne's wrath 

Burnt hotter as she saw, and with fierce words 

Broke on her sobs : — " No time is this for tears ! 

" Steel, steel alone must aid us, or if yet 

" Than steel be weapon deadlier! So I wreak 800 

" This vengeance, come what guilt may come, my soul 

" Is fixed to dare it ! O'er the wretch's head 

" Or if I fire his hall, and watch him writhe 

" And shrivel in its blazing, — from his throat 

" Tear forth his lying tongue,-— sear out his eyes, — 805 

" Or from his foul trunk lop the offending part 

" That wrought thy shame, — He dies ! I see not yet 

" My pathway clear, — but, at all cost, he dies ! " 

So as she raved, came Itys : — on her soul 

Plashed horrid inspiration : — there, there stood 810 

The weapon that she lacked ! With terrible glance 

Fixed on the boy, " Too like, too like thy sire ! " 

She muttered, nor more spoke : but mute within 

The fierce fell resolution gathered shape, 

And steeled itself to act. But as the boy 8 1 5 

Sprang to his parent's side, and round her neck 



196 TALE OF TEREUS, [Book VI. 

Twining his little arms, with child-like words 

Of fond endearment, mixed with many a kiss, 

Clasping embraced her, for a moment yet 

Within her soul the Mother stirred, and half 820 

Her purpose quailed : — involuntary tears 

Moistened her eyes. Bat, conscious that the "Wife 

Was melting in the Mother, quick she turned 

Upon her Sister's face her glance, and, both 

By turns beholding, — " Why should this " — she cried — 

" With fondling accents speak, and that be mute 826 

" For lack of tongue to frame them 1 If he calls 

" Me ' Mother,' — why can she not ' Sister ' say 1 

" Bethink thee well, Panclion's child, what spouse 

" Yet calls thee wife ! Unworthy of thy blood ! 830 

" Degenerate ! — Tereus ? — all regard of him 

" Is guilt in thee ! " And pitiless she seized 

The child, as fierce the Indian tigress gripes 

Amid the forest-glades the sucking fawn. 

Alas ! in that lone chamber never ear 835 

Might hear what passed ! In vain the little hands 

Suppliant were spread ! in vain the little voice 

" Oh ! mother ! mother ! " shrieked, and, as he saw 

His fate, in vain his mother's neck his clasp 

Strove to embrace. With unaverted look 840 

'Twixt chest and rib the ruthless steel she drove, — 

Wound deep enough for death, — but Philomel 

With a sharp knife across his tender throat 

The bloody work made sure : — and both at once 

The limbs, yet quivering with some show of life 845 

Asunder tore ! These in the caldron boil, — 

These on the spit turn hissing as they roast, — 



Book VI.] PROCNE, AND PHILOMELA. 1 97 

In gore the chamber swims ! Then to the feast 

The wife her husband summons, with some tale 

Of old paternal rite that suffers none 850 

Save him to share it, barring from the board 

All comrades, all attendants. And the sire 

Unconscious, on the throne whereon his race 

"Were wont to banquet seated, down his throat 

His proper entrails crams ! The Night of Fate 855 

Blinds all his sense ! " Now bring me Itys ! bring 

" My boy ! " he cries. Nor longer Procne bore 

To hide her horrid triumph, and, herself 

Hot to avow her crime, " Within thyself" — 

She cried — " is what thou seekest ! " Wondering round 

He looked, nor caught her meaning, and once more 861 

" Bring Itys ! " he began : — but, as he spake 

Fierce through the chamber-door sprang Philomel, 

Her tresses foul with clotted gore, and flung 

Pull on the fatal board, before his eyes, 865 

His offspring's bloody head ! — Nor ever yet 

Missed she so much her ravished speech as now, 

To vent her glory of that fell revenge 

In words that matched her deed ! — With fearful yell 

The Thracian from him spurned the accursed board, 870 

Calling the Snaky Sisters of deep Hell, 

With curse on curse, to seize them ! impotent 

Endeavouring with convulsive hefts to free 

His stomach of the horrid load whose taste 

Dwelt on his loathing palate — his own flesh — 875 

Yet undigested ! Now he wept, now called 

Himself his Itys' living tomb ; — now wild 

His sword he seized, and round the hall pursued 



198 TALE OF BOREAS AND ORITHYIA. [Book VI. 

Pandion's daughters. But, like birds, they seemed 

To baffle him, — and what they seemed, they were; 880 

Birds both. One sought the woodland-shades, and one 

Wheeled round the Palace-roof. But still on each 

That horrid deed some traces left, and each 

Upon its plumage bore a sanguine tint. 

Himself too, in that heat of grief and chase 885 

Borne furious, changed to kindred shape. A bird 

He soared, whose head with threatening crest is crowned, 

"With beak immoderate, pointed weapon-like 

As bent to slay. Greece calls him Epops now. 

So these were changed: — and the sad story, borne 890 
To Athens, ere the fulness of his days 
With sorrow sent Pandion to the Shades. 



IX. Him next succeeding to Erectheus fell 
Sceptre and regal sway, though, if by right 
Or force, is doubtful. Eour his sons, and. four 895 

His daughters, two alike above the rest 
Eor beauty famed. iEolian Cephalus 
Was blessed with Procris' hand, and Boreas sought 
Her sister Orithyia. But his birth 

Prom Thrace, and Tereus' recent tragedy, 900 

Discredited his suit; and long he urged 
In vain, with all soft arts that lovers use, 
Disdaining ruder pressure, her he loved. 
But, when all gentler wooing naught availed, 
The wonted native violence woke that nils 905 

Each blast he breathes. " 'Tis well ! " he cried—" What 

else 
" Had I to look for 1 I, who spared to use 



Book VI.] TALE OF BOREAS AND ORITHYIA. 1 99 

" My proper arms, the power and might, the rude 

" Eesistless strength I own, and stooped to sue 

" In prayers that ill become me! Force alone 910 

lt My weapon is ! By force I drive the clouds, — 

" By force I shake the seas, and from their roots 

" Uprend the gnarled oaks; — the drifted snows 

" Freeze into icy mass, or pelt in storm 

" Of hail upon the rattling Earth ! — When high 915 

" Aloft I brave my brethren of the skies, 

" In the wide realm of air, my proper field, 

" With such a shock I meet them, that all Heaven 

" Breaks into thunder as we clash, and struck 

" From the colliding clouds the lightning-fire 920 

" Brief-flashing blazes ! Or, when underneath 

" I fill the hollow of the world, and roar 

" Pent in its cavernous depths, the very Shades 

" Confess me trembling, and the whole huge globe 

" Is rocked with quaking terror! Thus, 'twas thus 925 

" I should have claimed Erectheus' child, and so 

'"' By force, not prayer, have won her from her Sire ! " 

So raved the angry God, and shook his wings, 
And o'er all Earth a shiver ran, and all 
The waves of Ocean trembled into foam. 930 

A pall of dust o'er all the hills he flung, 
And all the plain before him swept, and, veiled 
In the dense cloud he gathered, pale with fear 
Seized in his tawny arms the Maid, and bore 
Aloft, — his passion kindling as he flew 935 

To fiercer heat : — nor once he checked his course 
Impetuous through the air, till, far in Thrace, 
The realm and people of the Cicones 



200 TALE OF BOREAS AND 0R1THYIA. [Book VI. 



Eeceived him with his prize. So there the Lord 

Of that bleak kingdom wedded her, nor long 940 

It was ere twins she bore him, both in form 

With all their Mother's grace adorned, and like 

Their Sire in wings alone. Not with their birth 

Those pinions came; bnt, ere their auburn locks 

"Were matched with answering beard, young Calais 945 

And Zethes grew unplumed : nor, till the boys 

Waxed into youthful vigour and the down 

Bloomed on their cheeks, from either shoulder sprang 

The bird-like gift of wings. And, in the prime 

Of early manhood, with the Minyad band, — 950 

The first who ploughed with Argo's venturous keel 

The Euxine's virgin-wave, — they sailed, in quest 

Of that famed Fleece whose wool was ruddy gold. 






THE 



METAMORPHOSES 



OF 



PUBLIUS OVIDIUS NASO 



BOOK VII. 



THE METAMORPHOSES. 



BOOK VII. 

I. Thessalian Argo, with lier Minyad crew, 
Was now upon the Seas : — the realm was left 
Where Phineus wore away in lifelong-dark 
His miserable age, and from his board 
The Boread Twins had driven the Harpy-pest 5 

Half-woman and half-bird. And, many a toil 
O'ercome, the gallant band whom Jason led 
Where rapid Phasis laves his slimy shores 
Had moored, and from iEaetes claimed the Pleece 
That Phryxus brought, and from the Monarch heard 10 
What triple labours, fearful, perilous, 
Must be essayed to win it. ■ But within 
The bosom of his Daughter kindling glowed 
Unwonted fires, nor all her reason's force 
The growing flame could quench. " In vain " — she cried — 
" Medea ! dost thou strive ! Some Deity 1 6 

" Eesists thee ! Ah ! this passion sure, or one 
" Eesembling this, must be what men call Love ! 
" Why should my Sire's conditions seem too hard 1 



204 



TALE OF MEDEA AND JASON. [Book VII. 



And yet, too hard they are ! "Why should I shake 20 

And tremble for the fate of one whom scarce 

These eyes have looked on twice 1 "Whence comes this 

fear 
I cannot quell ? Unhappy ! from thy breast 
Dash out these new-lit fires ! — Ah ! wiser far 
If so I could! — But some new Power constrains, 25 

And Eeason this way points, and that way Love. 
I see and know the better path, and tread 
The worse. Must thou, a Princess, born of Kings, 
Burn for a Stranger thus 1 Art thou to seek 
From lands unknown a Spouse 1 Hath Colchis none 30 
Worthy thy love ? — If Jason live or die 
Eests in the will of Heaven : — yet, let him live ! — 
That prayer at least may without Love be prayed, — 
For what has Jason done 1 Ah ! hard were she 
And cruel, whom his youth, his race, his fame, 35 

Stirred not to pity ! harder far, though these 
Were lacked, whose bosom that fair face and form 
Could fail to move, as, all too well I feel, 
They move my own ! If I not help him, fierce 
Those terrible bulls will blast him with their fires ! 40 
The seed he sows will spring in Earth-born crop 
Of armed foes to slay him ! or his limbs 
Be flung a fearful feast to that dread snake 
That guards the prize he seeks ! — If this I bear 
Some tigress was my mother, and my heart 45 

Within is rock or iron ! — Why not more 1 
Not gaze and gloat upon his dying pangs, 
And with that spectacle these guilty eyes 
Make guiltier yet 1 — and halloo on the bulls 



Book VII.] TALE OF MEDEA AND JASON. 205 

" To scorch him, — and those terrible Earth-born foes 50 

" To slay, — that sleepless Dragon to devour 1 — 

" Forbid it, Gods ! Yet what my need to pray 

" To Gods, when i" can save him 1 But, for this, 

" Must I be traitor to my land and Sire, 

" And rescue by my aid this wandering Greek, 55 

" That, saved by me, without me he may spread 

" His homeward sails, and leave Medea here 

" To meet the doom she merits ?— j[f of this 

" His soul were capable — could he to me 

" Another dare prefer — why, let the Wretch 60 

" Perish, as he deserves ! No ! no ! his face 

" Forbids the thought ! Mobility of soul 

" Is stamped too clear on that fair front, for doubt 

" Of faithless fraud or base ingratitude ! 

" Yet he shall pledge him first: — the Gods his oath 65 

" Shall witness to our covenant ! What to fear 

" Is left thee then 1 Up ! gird thee ! for delay 

" Is Death ! For aye thy debtor for his life 

" Preserved must Jason be ! and torch and rite 

" His honoured wife will make thee, and through all 70 

" Pelasgian cities shall their matrons hail 

u The Saviour of their Prince ! — Ah ! thus then, thus 

" My Sister, Brother, Sire, my natal soil, 

" My country's Gods, do I desert, and fly 

" To exile with the winds 1 — My Sire is stern, 7 5 

"Our land is barbarous : — my Brother yet 

" An infant : — for my Sister, with my own 

" Her vows are one : — and, for the Gods, — within 

" This bosom beats the Greatest ! Little 'tis 

" To lose, and much to win ! Fame, to have saved 80 



206 



TALE OF MEDEA AND JASON. [Book VII. 



" This flower of all Achaian youth, and sight 

" And knowledge of a nobler land, where tower 

" The cities of whose glory Fame even here 

" Loud rumours, and the culture and the arts 

" That grace the life of Heroes ! More than all 85 

" I win me iEson's son, for whom the world 

" With all its treasures were but cheap exchange ! 

" Oh bhss ! to be his wife, his envied wife, 

" Dear to his kindred-Gods ! My head will touch 

" The very stars with rapture ! "What if rocks, 90 

" As Buniour speaks, clash justling'in our track 

" Athwart the Seas, and fell Charybdis, foe 

" To ships, with flux and reflux terrible 

" Swallows and spouts the foam-flood? — What if, girt 

" With serpents, in Sicilian ocean-caves 95 

" Devouring Scylla barks 1 — The Seas for me, 

" Clasped to the bosom of the man I love, 

" Will wear no terrors: — or, within his arms, 

" If fear should rise, 'twill be, not for myself, 

" But only for my Husband. Husband? — Ah! 100 

" With what fair name, Medea, dost thou clcak 

" Thy purposed crime 1 Ah ! think, how great the guilt 

" Thou darest, and, while yet thou canst, escape ! " 

So, to herself, she ended; conjuring up 
All images of Right, and Faith, and Shame, 105 

And natural Duty : till, — that battle lost — 
Defeated Cupid fled. Then to the shrine 
Of Hecate, buried in the secret shade 
Of neighbouring woods, she took her way, composed 
And strong in better purpose : — in her veins no 

That fever-flush subdued. When lo ! the son 






Book VII. ] TALE OF MEDEA AND JASON. 207 

Of iEson crossed her path ! Trie fire, that seemed 

Extinguished, woke again. A roseate flush 

Dyed cheek, and neck, and breast : — and, as a spark 

Latent 'neath shrouding ashes, fed with breath 115 

Of fanning air revives, and bursts, with force 

Eenewed, in upward flame, — so, as she saw 

That presence there, the passion that but now 

Had languished, well-nigh dead, blazed forth again ! — 

Never more fair he looked than on that morn. 120 

Forgive her for her loving ! as her gaze 

Dwelt on him, never, felt she, till that hour 

Had she known half his charms. Than mortal more 

Seemed what she looked on; and her spell-bound eyes 

Lacked force to tear them from so sweet a sight ! 125 

But when he spoke, and took her hand, and pressed, 
And with soft earnest tones and low besought 
Her help, and for such service pledged his faith, 
His heart, his hand, — she broke in plenteous tears : — 
" Too well" — she said — " I see what 'tis I do ! 130 

" And, if I err, not Ignorance but Love 
" Misleads me ! — Yes ! I save thee ! but swear thou 
" That, saved, thou keep thy promise ! " Eagerly 
By triple Hecate's dread Divinity 

And all that grove held sacred, — by the Sun, 135 

All-seeing Father of his Sire-in-law 
To be, — and by all perils he must dare, 
And by the glorious prize he hoped to win 
So helped, — he swore : — and trustingly she heard, 
And armed him with strange herbs of magic power, 1 40 
And taught their use and service. So, elate 
With hope, he parted. When Aurora next 



208 



TALE OF MEDEA AND JASON. [Book VII. 



Before her drove the paling stars, the Field 

Of Mars was black with thronging multitudes, 

And, purple-robed and ivory-sceptred, sate 145 

The Monarch in the midst. And brazen-hoofed 

And adamantine-throated, snorting flames, 

Came forth the bulls : — where'er they breathed, the grass 

In the hot vapour shrivelled. With such roar 

As bursts from some huge oven's laden womb, 150 

Or when the furnace' sweltering mass out-poured 

Hisses in smoke beneath the sprinkled flood, 

Issued the fierce breath from those glowing chests 

And fiery throats. But, fearless, iEson's son 

Stood forth to meet them. Terrible they turned 155 

On that bold foe their shaggy fronts and horns 

With iron armed, and loud with cloven hoof 

Beat into dust the earth, and all the air 

With smoky snorting clouded. Terror chilled 

The Minyse as they saw. But he — so well 160 

That magic aid availed — secure approached, 

Nor felt the fires their nostrils flashed, and took 

Each pendent dewlap in his better hand, 

And patted, and o'er each submissive neck 

Flung calm the yoke, and drave them, through the plain 



Dragging the keen tooth of the unwonted share. 

All Colchis gazed astounded, and a shout 

Of triumph from the Minyse broke, and cheered 

Their Hero. From a brazen helmet next 

The serpent-teeth he took, and scattering, sowed 

Along the new-drawn furrows. And the seeds, 

Steeped in some potent drug, at touch of Earth 

Softened, and warmed, and germed in wondrous form 



166 



170 



Book VII. ] TALE OF MEDEA AND JASON. 209 

Of life. As, — pent within the mother's womb, 
The burden gradual rounds its little limbs 175 

To baby-shape, nor, till mature, essays 
The common air of Heaven, — so these, within 
The pregnant soil, though quicker far, assumed 
Feature and bulk of man, and, perfect so, 
Sprang from the labouring field ! More marvel yet ! — 180 
A host of Warriors ready-armed they sprang ! 
And all along the rank their levelled spears 
Were poised to hurl at Jason ! And the cheeks 
Of all the Minyse blanched, and all their hearts 
Were faint with fear. Even she herself, whose art 185 
Ensured his safety, trembled as she saw 
At one alone the threatening lances point 
Of all that host, and pale she turned, and sank 
Cold-shivering, in her place : and, lest the charms 
He bore should fail him, murmured low a spell 190 

Of helping power, and summoned every force 
Of magic to her aid. But Jason flung 
Amid the band a stone, and all their wrath 
Was straightway turned upon themselves ! Each son 
Of Earth his brother slew! — With mutual wounds 195 
In civil strife they perished ! Loud the Greeks 
Sent forth a gratulant shout, and thronged around 
And clasped the Victor in their arms. And thou, 
Maid of Colchis, did thy soul not burn 
To clasp him tool — Ah! with what passionate arms 200 
Around him hadst thou clung, but only shame 
The impulse barred, and maiden purity, 
Yet shrinking, held thee back. But silently 
Thy bosom glowed with triumph, and thy thanks 

o 



210 JESON RESTORED TO YOUTH. [Book VII. 

In inward chant were uttered to the Powers 205 

Who taught thy spells. But yet there lacked to lull 

To sleep that sleepless Dragon, terrible 

With crest and triple tongue and hooked fangs, 

That watched the Fleece of Gold. — For that last toil 

Some sprinkled drops of magic juice expressed 210 

From Lethe's herbage, and some mystic words 

Thrice-said, of power to win all breathing thigns 

To sleep, to smooth all rivers, yea, to calm 

The turbulent sea, sufficed. The monstrous eyes 

Closed in unwonted slumber, — and the Fleece 215 

Was Jason's ! And, in triumph, with that spoil 

And her to whom he owed it, — spoil herself 

As dear, — his wedded wife, beside him borne, 

Back to Iolcos' port the Argo sped. 

II. Matrons and Sires throughout all Thessaly 220 

For sons restored made offering : high to Heaven 
The incense smoked; round many a victim's horns 
The golden fillet glittered. But such rite 
No more might iEson share, whom to the grave 
Long tale of years made neighbour. To his wife 225 

Spoke Jason. " my Spouse, to whom I owe 
" My safety and all else, — for all my debts 
" To thee pass count and credence, — if thy spells 
" Can work — what can they not? — this one boon more, 
" Take from my life some of its useless years, 230 

" And add them to my Sire's !" With tears he spoke, 
And with the pious speech her soul was moved, 
Ah ! how unlike his own ! — What filial love 
Had she to old JEtetes shown 1 — The thought 



Book VII.] JESON RESTORED TO YOUTH. 211 

Smote on her, but she crushed it : — and " What prayer " 

She said — " unhallowed from thy blameless lips 236 

" Escapes, my Husband ! Xor may art of mine 

" To any else thy share of life transfer, 

" ^or this great Hecate sanctions, nor may'st thou 

" With justice ask. But Jason, I can task 240 

" My skill to better boon than this thy love 

" Demands, and lengthen out thy Father's years, 

" !N"or borrow thine to piece them; — so the Power 

" Of triform Hecate favouring deign to aid 

" The bold design." Three nights were wanting yet 245 

To fill up Luna's horns, and round her face 

To perfect orb : and, on the third, when full 

And fair on Earth her circle looked, the Queen 

Passed from the palace-gates. Her robe was girt 

Succinct — her feet unsandalled; — loose her hair 250 

O'er her white shoulders hung : — and in the deep 

Dead silence of the midnight forth she took 

Her devious way, alone. Man, bird, and beast 

Were sunk in slumber; not a murmur stirred 

The hedges, — every leaf was motionless, — 255 

Breathless the humid air; alone the Stars 

Gleamed tremulous : — and thrice to these she spread 

Her arms, and thrice with water from the stream 

Her tresses dashed, and thrice with mystic shriek 

Her lips unloosed, and to the bare Earth bowed 260 

Her knee : — and " Hear me, Thou," — she prayed — " Great 

Night! 
" Best veil of secret rites ! and Ye, fair Stars 
" With Luna following on day's fiercer fires, 
" And Thou, dread Hecate ! triple Power, who know'st 



212 .ESON RESTORED TO YOUTH. 



[Book VII. 



" Whate'er I would, and aidest, — and Thou, Earth! 265 

" Eich in all wealth of potent growth by art 

" Of rune and spell with magic force imbued, — 

" And Ye, all spirits of the Breeze, the Hill, 

" The Stream, the Lake, — all Gods that haunt the Grove 

" Or love the Mght, — be present ! by whose aid 270 

" My art hath turned, betwixt their wandering banks 

" Back to their founts the Rivers, — waked the wrath 

" Of the calm Sea, or charmed its wrath to calm, — 

" Scattered or massed the storm-clouds, and let loose 

" Or chained the Winds, — and with one muttered word 275 

" Locked the fell Serpent's jaws, — torn up the rocks, — 

" Eent from its base the oak, — and made the woods 

" And all the hills to quake, the Earth to groan, — 

" And from their tombs called forth the unwilling Ghosts, — 

" Dragged from her place the Moon, despite the clang 280 

" Of cymbals clashed to ease her labouring hour, — 

" Ay, and with magic chant made reel in Heaven 

" My very Grandsire's car, — and with my spells 

" Chased every rose from waked Aurora's cheek ! 

" Your aid it was, ye Powers, that quenched the flames 

" Breathed from those terrible bulls, and to the yoke 286 

" Their necks, impatient of all burden, bowed; — 

" That kindled in the Snake-born host that strife 

" Intestine, — lulled to sleep the monstrous eyes 

" That watched the Fleece, and from its baffled guard 290 

" To grace our Grecian cities tore the prize ! 

" Oh! grant me now some juice of power to tinge 

" Anew with youthful bloom the withered cheek, 

" And back recall the prime of vanished years ! 

" Ye will! ye will! not idly yonder Stars 295 



Book VII. ] JESON RESTORED TO YOUTH. 213 

" Twinkle assent ! not idly from the Skies 

" Yon winged Dragons whirl the Car that, while 

" I speak, is here ! " And to her side the Car 

Descended : and she mounted, and with hand 

Caressing stroked the Dragon-necks, and shook 300 

The reins, and soared aloft ! Beneath her lay 

Thessalian Tempe : — but to wilder heights, 

Whiter with chalk, she speeds : and marks what herbs 

On Ossa, and on lofty Pelion grow, 

On Othrys, Pindus, and Olympus piled 305 

High above all : — these tears she from the root, 

These severs with keen blade of curving steel : 

And from thy verdant banks, Apidanus, 

And thine, Amphrysus, much she culls. His share 

Enipeus yields, and Peneus, and thy shores 310 

Spercheius, and the reeds of Boebe's marge. 

Thy verdure fresh, Anthedon, by the gulf 

Euboic, not as yet for Glaucus' change 

Renowned, she crops. By this, nine days, and nights 

As many, in that chariot dragon-whirled 315 

Her eager quest had witnessed, and those steeds, 

Save but the odour of what herbs she culled, 

Had known no nurture ; — but that smell sufficed, — 

And each dry wrinkled skin was shed, and fresh 

Glistened their scales. And homeward bending now 320 

Before her Palace-gates she lights, nor yet 

Re-enters : — there, with Heaven alone for roof, 

She bides, and, barring all approach of man, 

Two altars rears of turf; — to Hecate one, 

To Youth the other; — twining both with wreath 325 

Of vervain and what woodland-growth was nigh. 



214 



^ESON RESTORED TO YOUTH. [Book VII. 



Then trenches twain she delved in Earth, and paid 

Due offering, and, with sacrificial knife 

Drawn through the rough throat of a sable ram 

Filled either hollow with a crimson flood: 330 

And added many a bowl of sparkling wine, 

And many a bowl of milk new-warm : — and poured 

With these her prayer — to all the Gods of Earth 

And to the Monarch of the Shades, and Her, 

His ravished Queen, and bade them yet awhile 335 

Forbear from iEson's feeble frame to snatch 

The waning life. These, with that orison 

Long-urged appeased, — she bade his servants bear 

To the altars iEson's wasted form, and there 

She laid him, sunk in sleep that looked like Death 340 

By the strong opiate of a chanted spell : 

And, waving from her Jason and his train, 

Warned them they seek not on the secret rites 

She now must work to pry. Obedient all 

Departed. Then, in Bacchant-guise, with locks 345 

Loose-streaming, round the altar-fires she wove 

A frantic dance, and many a torch she cleft 

In splinters, and within the trench's flood 

Of crimson steeped them, and, so steeped, to blaze 

On either altar flung: — and thrice with rite 350 

Lustral, of water, fire, and sulphur, purged 

The unconscious Sire. Meanwhile, within a vase 

Of brass her potent medicinal charms 

Bubbled and boiled, white-foaming : — many a root 

Dug from Hsemonian valleys flung she there, 355 

And seeds, and flowers, and acrid juices harsh, 

And pebbles from the utmost Orient sought, — 



Book VII.] JESCfN RESTORED TO YOUTH. 21 5 

And sand clean-washed in Ocean's refluent wave, — 

"White rime of hoar-frost, gathered when the Moon 

Shone all night long, — the screech-owl's wings and flesh 

Obscene, — and entrails torn from that weird wolf 361 

That sometimes shifts to man, — skin membranous 

Of Afric's tortoise caught by Cinyps' banks, — 

Liver of long-lived stag, — and head and beak 

Of crow that by nine times man's shorter span 365 

Had over-passed, — and thousand nameless things 

Beside : — and when the charm was furnished full 

With all it lacked, a withered olive-branch 

Dried of all kindly sap she took, and stirred 

Blent and incorporate all the seething mass. 370 

And lo ! the sere wood in the caldron's heat 

Grew sudden green, and clad itself with leaves 

Afresh, and heavy drooped with berried fruit ! 

And wheresoe'er the bubbling broth within 

Spat forth its hissing drops, the Earth was bright 375 

With verdure, and soft grass, and odorous flowers ! 

Which when the sorceress saw, her knife she drew 

Across the throat of iEson, and drained forth 

The thin blood's stream, and, in his veins, instead, 

That quickening juice infused: — and, as his lips 380 

And wounded throat imbibed it, hair and beard 

Their silver shedding, with the raven hue 

Of youth shone glossy dark j — the muscles swelled ; — 

The wrinkles filled ; — and on his cheek the rose 

Long-faded bloomed; — new blood along his veins 385 

Tumultuous throbbed; — and every limb was lithe: 

And wondering iEson woke to know himself 

Once more as, forty years agone, he knew 1 



2l6 



THE DEATH OF PELIAS. 



[Book VII. 



III. Bacchus from Heaven that prodigy beheld; 
And, taught that thus he might with lengthened life 
Bepay the Nymphs who nursed him, from the lore 
Of ancient Tethys sought and won the gift. 



39° 



TV. But now, with guiltier art, the Phasian feigned 
A quarrel with her Lord, and to the court 
Of Pelias fled, a suppliant. Old he was, 395 

And feeble : — but his Daughters welcomed her, 
And, won by false assurances of love 
Insidious proffered, took her to their hearts. 
And, as she told what benefits her art 
Had wrought, and for the chiefest counted youth 400 

To iEson's age restored, and on that tale 
Dwelt lingering, in their bosoms woke the hope 
Of like revival for their Sire. The thought 
"Was spoken : — on the service let her put 
What price she will ! — Silent awhile she stood 405 

As hesitating, grave in doubt : — the Maids 
Hung anxious on her lips. " I promise then ! " 
She said — " but, for your greater confidence 
" In what I proffer, bring me from your flocks 
" The oldest Earn that leads them, and my drugs 410 

" Before your eyes shall make him lamb again ! " 
And, worn with years untold, his woolly front 
Bowed with its weight of curling horns, the Earn 
Was brought, and in his shrunken throat, that scarce 
Gave blood enough to stain it, felt the steel. 415 

Then in the caldron filled with that strange juice 
The sorceress flung the carcass ; — and his limbs 
Took smaller bulk, — his curling horns fell off,— 



Book VII.] THE DEATH OF PELIAS. 217 

And, with his horns, his years : — and from the ronnd 

Of that charmed vessel came a feeble bleat, 420 

And, as they heard it marvelling, forth there leaped 

A Lamb, that skipped along the mead, and sought 

Some mother's milky teat ! — Astounded gazed 

The Peliads, by such proof assured, — and pressed 

More earnestly her promise. Thrice the Sun 425 

Had by the Iberian wave his steeds unyoked : — 

The fourth night's stars were shining. On the fire 

She set the caldron, — filled with water fair 

And herbs devoid of virtue : — and a spell 

Of power she chanted, till a magic sleep, 430 

Heavy as Death, on King and household fell. 

Then to the unconscious Monarch's couch she led 

The Maids. " Why linger yet irresolute? " 

She cried — " Unsheath your blades, and drain away 

" This feeble stream, and let my juices fill 435 

" With fresher blood these veins ! Your proper hands 

" Must give your sire new life and youth! Perform 

" This duty, if ye love him, and your prayers 

" Be not but idle words. The steel, whose stroke 

" Lets forth his blood, but kills his age, not him ! " 440 

Who loved him most was foremost to fulfil 
The horrid bidding : — not to dare the crime 
Was criminal ! But neither bore to see 
The wound she gave : — and, with averted heads, 
At random fell the blows. All bathed in gore 445 

Up struggled on his couch the mangled Sire, 
And " What "—he shrieked—" is this % What Fury 

arms 
" Your hands against me, children 1 " — And the blades 



218 



RETURN OF MEDEA. 



[Book VII. 



Dropped from their palsied grasp ! With surer blow 
The Colchian's hand arrested speech and life, 
And in the seething caldron flung the corse. 



45° 



V. VI. Then, borne aloft upon the Dragon-car 
From vengeance fled she, — over Chiron's haunt 
Of Pelion, — over Othrys, — and the Mount 
Famed for the refuge of Cerambus old, 455 

To whom, what time Deucalion's deluge drowned 
The Earth, the pitying Nymphs gave wings, and taught 
To soar unwhelmed above the whelming flood. 



VII. -XIX. Leftward she passed iEolian Pitane, — 
The rocks that frown in dragon-shape, — the Grove 460 
Idaean, where, in stag disguised, the art 
Of Liber hid the steer his offspring stole : — 
The wave-washed tomb of Paris, — and the fields 
That shook to hear transmuted Msera's howl : — 
And Cos, Eurypylus' home, whose dames to cows 465 

Were changed, what time Alcides swept the isle. 
Khodos, to Phoebus dear, where, evil-famed 
For glance maleficent, the wrath of Jove 
Beneath the wave whelmed Ialysus' sons, — 
She passed, — and Cea's old Cartheian towers, 470 

Where, from his daughter's change, Alcidamas 
Learned how a Woman's form to Dove's may turn ; — 
And Hyrie's Lake, and Tempe, by the fowl 
That late was Cycnus haunted. With all gifts 
Of captured bird and forest-beast subdued 475 

Phyllius had sought the youth, and, at his hest, 
A bull had tamed. " Give me that bull ! " he said : — 






Book VII.] MEDEA KILLS CREUSA. 219 

But Phyllius, -wroth to find his love with scorn 

Bepaid, refused. " Too late repent then ! " cried 

The passionate boy, and from a cliff he sprang, — 480 

It seemed, to certain Death, — but in mid-fall 

Took sudden silver plumes, and soared, a Swan. 

But Hyrie mourned for lost her son, — and tears 

Dissolved her to the Lake that bears her name. 

Pleuron she passed, where Ophian Combe soared 485 
A bird, so 'scaping from her murderous sons ; — 
Latona's isle, Calaura, where on wings 
Upborne its monarch and his consort flew ; — 
And on her right Cyllene left, where, more 
Like brute than man, Menephron's hideous lust 490 

His mother's couch assailed; — and from afar 
Beheld where for his son Cephisus mourned, 
By angered Phoebus to a snorting seal 
Transformed; — and where Eumelus wondering saw 
His daughter rise and bird-like skim the air. 495 

XX. XXI. Back to Pirenian Ephyre at last 
The Dragons bore her, where, as legends tell, 
Men in their primal age from mushrooms sprang. 
And lo ! new-wedded in her place there sate 
Another! — But that Bride with robe in drugs 500 

Of fiery venom steeped, the Colchian wrapped 
In flames, amid her Father's blazing halls 
Far-flaring o'er both Seas : — and, pitiless 
In vengeance, in her children's breast she plunged 
The impious steel, and, soaring high aloft 505 

From Jason's wrath secure, before him flung 
His murdered sons ! Thence to the Attic towers 



220 MEDEA'S PLOT AGAINST THESEUS. [Book VII. 

Of Pallas sped her chariot, where of old 

Phineus the just, and ancient Periphas, 

And Polyphemon's child, to birds alike 510 

Transformed, above the wondering crowd had soared. 



XXII. And iEgeus, so in all his blameless life 
First erring, gave her welcome, and ere long 
Made partner of his bed ; — what time his son, 
Theseus, whose sword from all its pests had freed 515 

The Isthmian pass, unknowing, and unknown 
Save but to her, to Athens came. For him 
A bowl with deadly aconite she drugged, 
From Colchis brought, and from the jaws distilled 
Of that fell hound Echidna bore, whom erst 520 

Up through the darksome pathway cavernous 
That slopes to Hell, in adamantine chains, 
Struggling with vain-averted eyes to shun 
The noontide beams, Alcides dragged to day, 
Furious with triple howl, and scattering white 525 

Around his rabid foam, that, where it fell, 
Coagulate, from the fat and fruitful soil 
Sucked nurture, and in growth of baneful herb, 
Potent for ill, upsprang, — which from the rocks 
The Shepherds cull, and call it Aconite. 530 

This, — urged by that insidious Queen to deem 
His child a foe, — to Theseus' lips the Sire 
Proffered ; — in act to drain it stood the youth : — 
When by the ivory sword-hilt on his thigh 
Sudden the Father knew his Son, and dashed 535 

The goblet from his hand ! And, from the death 
Else due the Sorceress wrapped in whirlwind fled. 



Book VII.] EULOGY OF THESEUS. 221 

XXIII. His Son was saved ! And glad, — but shudder- 
ing yet 
To think upon what verge of Death and Crime 
Had either stood, — with thankful fires he heaped 540 

And gifts the altars of the Gods, and round 
The horns of many a victim twined the wreath. 
Never upon Erectheus' Town had shone 
A day more glad ! King, Chiefs, and People, — all 
Held common feast, and, by the bowl inspired, 545 

Broke into jubilant song, — and all their theme 
Was Theseus ! He, who slew on Marathon 
The Cretan Bull, and bade the swains secure 
In Crommyon plough their fields, — whose might subdued 
In Epidaurus Vulcan's club-armed son. 550 

" To thee" — they sang — " Cephisus owes the death 
" Of fell Procrustes ! thee Eleusis, loved 
" Of great Demeter, thanks for Cercyon slain ! 
" By thee fell Sinis, wretch! whose giant-strength 
" Ill-used, could bow to Earth the tallest pines, 555 

" And with their strong recoil asunder rend 
" His tethered victim's limbs! By Sciron's death 
" Safe to Alcathoe's Lelegeian walls 
" The pathway lies, — that robber, to whose bones 
" Nor Earth nor Ocean gives a resting-place, 560 

" Wide-floating tossed, and hardened into rocks 
" That bear his hated name ! Thy glorious deeds 
" Outnumber far thy years ! Eor thee we thank 
" And pray the Gods ! To thee this bowl we drain ! " 
So sang they: — and with chorus of acclaim 565 

Echoing the Palace and the City rang, 
And in all Athens not a spot was sad. 



222 VISIT OF MINOS TO yEGINA. [Book VII. 

XXIY. Nor for his son restored was iEgeus' bliss 
Untroubled: — rarely comes a joy to man 
So pure that not a bitter mars its sweet! 570 

For Minos threatened war, — in men and ships 
No puny foe, — and justly bent to wreak 
A Father's vengeance for Androgeus slain. 
But, first, alliance of all friendly powers 
"With cruising fleet he seeks, where'er his name 575 

And fame are known; and Anape, won o'er 
By promise, and Astypalsea, bent 
By force, enlists, — and little Myconos, 
Cimolus' chalky isle, and Cythnos rich, 
Sciros, Seriphos flat, and Paros, white 580 

With marble store — where the Sithonian sold 
Its fortress, greedy for her bargained bribe, 
Changed to that bird of sable plume and claw, 
The thievish Jackdaw, tempted still by gold. 

XXV. Oliaros, Tenos, Andros, Didymae, 585 

Gyaros, and Peparethus, green with groves 
Of olive, held aloof. And westward thence 
Steered Minos, to the realms of iEacus, 
iEnopia called of yore, iEgina now 

In honour of its Monarch's Mother named. 590 

Eager the people throng to see a Chief 
So famous; and the Princes, Telamon, 
And Peleus, next in birth, and Phocus, haste 
To greet their guest, and ^Eacus himself 
Feeble with age comes forth, and asks the cause 595 

Which brings him. And, so minded of his loss 
Afresh, the Lord of Creta's hundred towns 



Book VII.] EMBASSY OF CEPHALUS TO ^ACUS. 223 

Deep -sighing spake. " A pious warfare claims 

" Thine help : — 'tis vengeance for a slaughtered son 

" These arms pursue ! Ah ! help me soothe his Shade ! " 

To him Asopus' grandson — " So, nor I 601 

" Nor mine may aid thee ! Closer tie to none 

" Than Athens links my faith: — the league is old 

" That binds us friends ! " — The disappointed King 

Turned, angry, and — " That league may cost thee dear!" 

He muttered : but, with better wisdom, spared 606 

The war that would but waste his needed powers, 

And, threatening later vengeance, went his way. 

And lo ! while, visible yet, his lessening sails 

Grew dim, at speed a bark from Athens touched 610 

The friendly port, and Cephalus sprang forth 

Charged with the message of the State ; — whom, long 

Unseen, the Princes knew, and welcomed glad 

With cordial grasp, and to the Palace led. 

Stately he was of presence, wearing yet 615 

Much grace of earlier prime, — an olive-branch 

He bore; — on either side a youthful pair, 

Clytus and Butes, sons of Pallas, stood. 

So, with due words of greeting proffered first, 

His errand he unfolded, on the faith 620 

Of ancient league and friendship asking aid 

To save all Greece from Minos' tyranny, 

And pleaded eloquent his cause. The King, 

Upon his ivory sceptre leaning, spoke :— 

" Take what ye seek, Athenians! 'tis no need 625 

" To ask it : — this my isle, and all its sons 

" Are yours : — of all my force at will dispose ! 

" I thank the Gods I lack not strength enough 



224 STORY OF THE PLAGUE OF ^EGINA. [Book VII. 

" To meet a foe or aid a friend ! The time 

" With me and mine is prosperous, and nor seeks 630 

" Nor bears excuse ! " — " So ever be it still 

" With thee and thine! " — quoth Cephalus — " Much joy 

" I had to mark the gallant band of youths, 

"So fair alike and equal-matched in years 

" That met me as I landed: — yet I looked 635 

" In vain for many a face, that well I knew 

" When last a guest within these halls I sate." 

And sadly answered him the sighing King : — 

" Thy words recall a time, whose history 

" Begins in sorrow, though in joy it ends. 640 

" Would I could speak it worthily! — yet hear 

" A broken tale. — Long since the friends, whose loss 

" Thy memory notes, in dust and ashes lie, 

" And with them half the bulwark of my state ! 

" Let that sad preface serve. With direful plague 645 

" The wrath of Juno smote the isle that bears 

" Her hated Eival's name. While yet the ill 

" Seemed such as man might cope with, nor its cause 

" Was known, with all resource of healing art 

" We met it; but its deadly force o'erpowered 650 

" All skill, and baffled Medicine fled the field. 

" Above us first the stifling air grew dense 

" With gloomy mist; a pall of clouds, o'erspread 

" Heavy, with languorous heat: — and, through four moons 

" Waxing and waning, feverish on our shores 655 

" Pernicious Auster breathed: — and fount and lake 

" Were poisoned, and from every waste there swarmed 

" A thousand crawling serpents venomous 

" Each wholesome stream infecting. On the dogs, 



Book VII. ] STORY OF THE PLAGUE OF ^EGINA. 225 

" On bird, and sheep, and ox, and forest-brute 660 

" The pest fell earliest: — next, before trie eyes 
" Of the despairing ploughman dropped the bull 
" In the mid furrow, dead ! The rotting fleece 
" Peeled from the lank sides of the sickening flock 
" Gasping, with painful bleat. The generous steed, 665 
" With many a palm of victory crowned, forgot 
" His triumphs past, and at the untasted rack 
" Moaned, drooped, and died. The boar his fury lost, 
" The stag his swiftness, — and the mountain-bear 
" His rush upon the herd: — dull languor weighed 670 

" On all. In wood and field, by road and path 
" They laid them down to die. The breeze was foul 
'' With scent of death ! But neither dog, nor bird 
" Of prey, nor grizzled wolf, upon that meal 
" Would banquet: — rotting where they fell they lay, 675 
" And stank, and with contagion filled the air. 
" And now — worse woe — upon the wretched swains 
" Themselves, and on the populous city, swooped 
" The pestilence. Strange inward heat, betrayed 
" On the flushed skin, the vitals racked; — with pain 680 
" The labouring breath was drawn; — the tongue was swoln 
" And rough \ — the parched lips, gaping, unrefreshed 
" Sucked in the tainted air. And couch and robe 
" Grew torment ! naked on the Earth his weight 
" The sufferer flung — nor Earth his fever cooled: — 685 
" His fever warmed the Earth ! — And now had ceased 
" Physicians' help. Beside the sick the Leech, 
" Sickening himself, had fallen ; — his very art 
" Was perilous : — and whoso sate, to tend 
" Or nurse a sufferer, did but share his fate ! 690 

p 



226 STORY OF THE PLAGUE OF ^EGINA. [Book VII. 



695 



700 



So, desperate of relief, save Death alone 

Inevitable, reckless of all care 

When care might naught avail, — the multitude 

Gave licence to the hurning thirst that raged 

Within them: prostrate by the founts and streams 

Or round the wells they grovelled, swilling Death 

In greedy draughts, and, impotent to rise, 

Died in the wave they drank, that not, even so 

Polluted, scared fresh thirsters from its flood ! 

And from their stifling beds the wretches leaped 

Or crawled, as strength allowed them, and abroad 

Fled, as they could. Death seemed within the house 

To lurk, and ignorance to the guiltless walls 

Charged the fell pest whose source was unrevealed. 

Wandering, half-dead, while yet their staggering limbs 

Upheld them, some: — some, weeping, on the Earth 706 

Sank helplessly, — their glaring eyes upturned 

With their last gaze to Heaven, — their hands upraised 

As asking pity from its pitiless vault, — 

Here, there, and everywhere, they gasped and died ! 



710 



Judge what I felt, and if I loathed the life 
Too strong, that would not let me share the fate 
Of all I loved ! Turn where I would my glance, 
Around me lay my people, thick as falls 
In autumn from the apple-branch its fruit 
O'er-ripe, or acorns from the shaken oak ! 
Thou seest yon marble stairs that to the fane 
Of Jove ascend : — ah ! vainly there what clouds 
Of incense wreathed his altars ! Spouse for wife, 
Father for child imploring, died ere yet 
His prayer was ended, in his hand the gift 



7i5 



720 



Book VII.] STORY OF THE PLAGUE OF iEGINA. 227 

" Unoflered clutched I The victim, while the Priest 

" Yet spoke the hallowed words, and on his horns 

" Sprinkled the wine, with other "blow than that 

" Of axe fell stricken! As myself, in prayer 725 

" For self, for country, and for children, knelt, 

" Lowed with strange moan the Bull, and fell collapsed, 

" Scarce staining with pale drops the knife that did 

" Too late its work ! The wasted fibres lacked 

" All signs that speak the warning of the Gods: — 730 

" So to the very vitals pierced the Pest ! 

" Upon the temple's threshold heaped I saw 

" The dead, — nay, at the altar's foot, so more 

" The cruel Gods reproaching ! Some, with noose 

" Self-twined, impatient hurried on the fate 735 

" Too lingering, and by Death itself from fear 

" Of dying fled. ]STor decent funeral-rite 

" Could bear them forth to burial, — with the press 

" Of justling trains the City's gates had choked ! 

" Tombless they cumbered Earth : — or, if some pile 740 

" Unhonoured bore them, round the pile there rose 

" Unseemly shameless contest : — for the place 

" Men fought, and on the pyre for others raised 

" The stronger burnt their dead ! And none was left 

" To weep them! Child or Parent, Old or Young, 745 

" An unlamented host of wandering Shades 

" They flitted ! nor the Earth for graves, nor wood 

" For pyres sufficed ! By such calamity 

" Heart-broken, ' great Jove ! ' I cried — ' if e'er 

" ' In sooth Asopus' daughter won thy love, 750 

" ' Xor thou, dread Father, me to own thy Son 

" ' Disdainest, — give my people back again, 



228 STORY OF THE PLAGUE OF yEGINA. [Book VII. 



' Or bury me too with, them ! ' — And a flash 

Lit all the Heavens, and following thunder rolled 

Eesponsive: — ' In that sign,' I cried, ' I read 755 

' Thy better will, and for its pledge accept 

' The omen ! ' — As it chanced, at hand there stood 

A branching oak, the Sire's own tree, from seed 

Of old Dodona sprung. And from its base 

Issuing I marked a train of tiny ants 760 

That o'er its rugged roots in lengthened lines 

Laborious dragged the grain their foresight stored. 

And, marvelling at their multitude, ' Ab ! fill 

' Great Sire ' — I cried — ' these desolate walls anew 

i With citizens as numerous ! ' — Not a breath. 765 

Was stirring, but the branches shook, the leaves 

With rustling murmur waved ! In every limb 

I trembled and my hair stood stiff with awe. 

But reverently the sacred tree, the Earth 

Beneath I kissed, and, though I dared not speak 770 

My hope, yet hoped, and in my bosom nursed 

The trust my vows were heard. And now the night 

Had fallen, — the weary few who lived were sunk 

In sleep : — and, in my dreams still waved the oak 

Its branches, and the branches seemed with ants 775 

To swarm, and tremble with that murmur strange 

My waking ears had heard; and from its leaves 

Eained on the Earth below that tiny tribe, 

That, touching Earth, grew larger, larger yet, 

And now erect in ampler stature rose, — 780 

Their sable hue flung off, — their slender form 

More bulky, — less the number of their legs, — 

And with all feature clothed and shape of man ! 



Book VIL] STORY OF CEPHALUS AND PROCRIS. 229 

" And then I waked, and waking cursed the dream 

" With which the Gods but mocked me ! But a sound 

" Unwonted, as of gathering multitudes, 786 

" Eose on my ears — of that false dream, methought, 

" Delusion, lingering yet : — till Telamon 

" Broke in, and ' Father ! Father ! forth ! ' he cried 

" ' Come forth ! a wonder past all hope, all faith, 790 

" ' Thine eyes shall see ! ' And forth I came, and there 

" The crowds I saw and counted in my dreams 

" Stood breathing living men ! I recognised 

" Each form and face, as, with consenting shout, 

" The new-born subjects hailed their King ! — To Jove 795 

" Due thanks I paid ; — my desolate town, my fields 

" Untilled, were stocked afresh : — and Myrmidons, 

" In memory of their origin, I named 

" The race. Thyself hast marked their port : — they keep 

" The habits of their birth, a frugal tribe, 800 

" Inured to toil, that wastes not what it wins, 

" But stores it, provident of future need. 

" These, when the wind that blew thee welcome here 

" For Athens favouring shifts, in years and heart 

" Alike, for her shall combat at thy side ! " 805 

XXVI. So, with more talk and various, waned the day, 
And Eve was given to feast, — and Mght to rest, — 
And with the morning rose the golden Sun, 
And Eurus still the homeward voyage barred. 
Duteous on Cephalus attend the sons 810 

Of Pallas, and with these the chief once more 
Visits the King. The King was slumbering yet : — 
But Phocus at the palace-gate received 



230 STORY OF CEPHALUS AND PROCRIS. [Book VII. 

His guests, and — while his elders Telamon 

And Peleus, absent at the muster, raised 815 

Their promised levy, — led them in, and placed 

In seat of honour due, and sate himself 

Beside them. And, as flowed their friendly talk, 

In Cephalus' hand a lance he noted, barbed 

With gold, whose shaft was of some wood that seemed 

Strange to his eye. " Not little versed " — he said — 821 

" I boast to be in woodcraft and in chase, 

" But what the tree that gave thy lance its shaft 

" I marvel; were it ashen, sure its hue 

"Were darker, and for cornel 'tis too smooth. 825 

" Whence was it hewn 1 for ne'er till now I saw 

" So fair a weapon ! " " Ay ! and in its use 

" Passing its beauty," Clytus said, " Where'er 

" It aims it strikes ! no chance its course diverts 

" Unerring : and spontaneous, to the hand 830 

" That flung it, back it comes, unbrought, and red 

" With the slain quarry's blood ! " The curious youth 

Its story asks, and who bestowed, and why, 

A boon so rare. But Cephalus, for shame, 

Passed silent half his question, nor endured 835 

To own the price that bought it ; and, with tears, 

So minded of his consort lost, replied. 

" A woeful weapon, Prince, whose mention moves 

" My weeping, as thou seest, and still must move 

" Long as the Pates shall spare me ! 'Twas this gift 840 

" (Would Heaven I ne'er had won it ! — ) that destroyed 

" Me and the wife I loved ! Haply thou know'st 

" The name of Orithyia and her tale : — 

" My Procris was her Sister, of the twain 



Book VII.] STORY OF CEPHALUS AND PROCRIS. 23 1 

" In loveliness, alike of form and mind, 845 

" The fairer prize. Her Sire's consent and Love 

11 Uniting made her mine. And, happy deemed, 

" Happy I was, and so might still have been, 

" But the Gods willed it otherwise. Two months 

" Of wedded life their blissful course had sped, 850 

" When, on Hymettus' ever-verdant steep 

" Spreading my toils for deer, at break of dawn 

" The golden-haired Aurora looked on me, 

" And snatched me, all unwilling, to her arms. 

"The Goddess pardon me ! — but, truth to tell, — 855 

" Sweet as her roseate cheek, whereon the dark 

"And light she parts in blent complexion met 

" Of tenderest colour, washed with nectar-dews, — 

" I loved my Procris better ! Procris' name 

" Was ever in my heart, and on my lips. 860 

" And still my wedlock's sacred bond new-tied, 

" And all the rights of that deserted bed 

" Earnest I pleaded, till the Goddess' scorn 

" Was roused, and ' Back then! to thy Procris go, 

" ' Ungrateful ! ' cried she. ' Cease thy plaints ! But if 

" i My foresight fail not, that return ere long 866 

" ' Thou well may'st wish ungranted ! ' and irate 

" She drove me from her! Homeward as I sped 

" That warning wrought within me, and a fear 

" Awoke, — had Procris kept to me the faith 870 

" I had not kept to her 1 Her charms, her youth 

" Were baits to tempt to falsehood : — yet her soul, 

" I knew, was pure : — but opportunity 

" My absence had supplied — and she I left 

" Had proved how woman's passion overleaps 875 






232 STORY OF CEPHALUS AND PROCRIS. [Book VII. 

" The bounds of right. All fears that lovers haunt 

" Beset me, and I sought but how to find 

" What found would break my heart, — resolved to try 

" With bribes her chastity. The Goddess knew 

" And fed my doubts, and in a stranger's form 880 

" Disguised me, conscious of the change • and so 

" Unknown I entered Athens and my home. 

" No sign of fault was there — all mark of faith 

" And truth : — the mansion mourned its missing Lord. 

" Some pretext won me audience, and confused 885 

" I stood before her, and well-nigh renounced 

" The meditated trial, scarce restrained 

" From instant frank avowal of the truth 

" And the fond kisses that I yearned to give. — 

" Sad was she, but her sadness lent a grace 890 

" To others' smiles denied: — her absent Lord 

" Was all her thought. Judge, Phocus, if in grief 

" So lovely seemed she, what in happier hours 

" The charm she wore ! What need to tell how oft 

" I tried her, or how oft her purity 895 

" My suit repelled, — how oft ' For one alone/ 

" She answered me, ' I live, though where he be 

" ' I know not — and none else ! ' Ah! was I mad 

" With proof like this not satisfied 1 I was ! 

" And with my own hand dealt my proper wound, 900 

" And still my proffer raised, and for one kiss 

" Such lavish bribe I offered, that at last 

" Methought she wavered. Then ' Behold ! ' I cried — 

" ' 'Tis I who play the adulterer! I who buy 

" ' Thy faith with gold ! Thy spouse before thee stands ! 

" ' Himself hath proved thy falsehood ! ' — Not a word 906 



Book VIL] STORY OF CEPHALUS AND PROCRIS. 233 

" She spoke : — but, with mute blush of shame, she fled 

" The hateful house and its insidious Lord, 

" And, hating for my sake the sight of man, 

" Amid the mountains in Diana's train 910 

" A huntress roved. Her flight but stirred the fire 

" That burned within my soul. I followed her — 

" Besought her — owned my fault — 'my stratagem 

" ' Was base — to such temptation I myself 

" ' Had yielded : ' — and, her wounded honour salved 915 

" By that confession, won her back, and long 

" In blest reunion lived. 'Twas then, as though 

" HerseK were gift too small, a hound of price 

" She gave me, erst by Cynthia's self bestowed, 

" Swifter than all his brothers of the pack, — 920 

" And, ah ! this lance which in my hand I bear. 

XXVII. " Would'st hear the story of that hound 1— Then 
take 
" The tale, — 'twill move thy wonder. (Edipus 
" Had solved the riddle of the Sphinx, too hard 
" For earlier wits ; and headlong to her death 925 

" The Pest had leaped, to puzzle Earth no more : — 
" So righteous Themis gave her vengeance way. 
" But lo ! another plague succeeding scared 
" Aonian Thebes, — a ravenous beast, that struck 
" With terror flock and shepherd, ravaging 930 

" Our folds. Our youth we gathered, and with toils 
' : Wide-spread the plain encircled : — but o'er net 
" And toil light sprang the brute. The hounds were loosed 
" To follow : — swift as bird the beast outstripped 
" Their tardier pace. With general cry they called 935 



234 STORY OF CEPHALUS AND PROCRIS. [Book VII. 

" For Laelaps — so my dog was named — who chafed 

" And struggled in the leash : and scarce my hand 

" Had slipped it, ere he vanished ! Where he was 

" None saw : — his foot-mark in the dust we tracked, — 

" Himself was lost to sight ! Never from hand 940 

" Sped lance, or stone from sling, or shaft from how 

" Of Crete, so swift as Lselaps ! To a mount 

" I hied me, that o'erlooked the level round, 

" And wondering watched the chase, — wherein the prey 

" Seemed ever caught, and ever from the jaws 945 

" Of very Death to slip ! Nor straight he fled 

" Across the plain, but still with shifting course, 

" By instinct taught, the too impetuous foe 

" In rapid doubles baffling. Not less swift 

" This turned, and still one seemed to catch, and one 950 

" To 'scape, — the gripe was spent on empty air ! 

" At last my lance I raised, but, as I grasped 

" Its thong, some chance a moment turned aside 

" My glance, and when I looked again, behold! 

" Fixed on the plain two marble creatures stood, 955 

" And still this seemed to fly and that to bark ! 

" Some God, — if Gods of such have care, — had changed 

" Their natures, and the swiftest of their kind 

" Unconquering and unconquered, turned to stone." 



XXVIII. And so he ceased : — " But what the javelin's 
fault 1" 960 

Quoth Phocus — and the javelin's fault he told : — 
" But first " — he said — " Prince, the happiness, 
" Which such deep sorrow followed, let me speak. 
" A blessed time they were, those earlier years 






Book VII.] STORY OF CEPHALUS AND PROCRIS. 235 

" When happy, she with me, and I with her, 965 

" Lived loving, in all bliss and harmony 

" That wedlock knows : — not Jove, if Jove's great self 

" Had sued, to me preferred, — and not to her 

" Venus, had Yenus wooed me : — each to each 

"Was all. When morning lit the mountain-peaks 970 

" The chase would call me to the woods : — nor train, 

" Nor horse, nor keen-nosed hound, nor knotted net 

" I needed : — game enough this lance ensured. 

" And, when the sport had wearied me, I sought 

" The cooling shade, the breeze that through the glade 975 

" Breathed fresh, the air that tolerable made 

" The sultry noon, the air whose breath restored 

" My fainting forces. ' Come ! come Aura ! come ! ' 

" So was I wont to murmur — all too well 

" I mind it — ' to this bosom ! let me feel 980 

" ' Thy kisses on me ! Come, as thou art wont, 

" ' And cool this fever in my blood ! ' And more, 

" So prompted by my Fate, of blandishment 

" Would add — ' Come! come! my one sole pleasure thou ! 

" ' Sole charm amid these solitary woods 985 

" ' That cheer'st me and refreshest, come, oh come ! 

" ' My longing lips await thee!' And the speech 

" Ambiguous some vile babbler heard, and deemed 

" That Aura, so invoked, some Oread was 

" I loved, and of the fancied falsehood brought 990 

" To Procris' ear the tale, — my innocent words 

" Adduced to prove it. Love too easily 

" Gives faith to what it fears! She heard, and swooned, 

" Slow from long faint reviving, and bewailed 

" Her wretched fate, so cheated, so betrayed, 995 



236 STORY OF CEPHALUS AND PROCRIS. [Book VII. 

" So cursed with faithless spouse. The truthless charge, 

" The bodiless name, were torture, — and her grief 

" But saw some living Eival! Yet she fought 

" Against suspicion, — yet she hoped the tale 

" A lie, — nor, till her own eyes proved her wrong, 1000 

" Would brand her Lord with falsehood. With the morn 

" Again the woods I sought, and when the chase 

" Was o'er, the quarry slain, upon the grass 

" I flung me, and ' Come, Aura, come! ' I cried, 

" ' I languish for thy kisses ! ' As I spoke 1005 

" From the nigh thicket seemed some moaning sound 

" To issue, hardly marked: — ' Come, sweetest, come !' 

" Again I murmured, — and the rustling leaves 

" Were stirred, as by the passage of some beast, — 

" And quick I launched my javelin! — Procris 'twas 1010 

" That in her breast received it ! Procris 'twas 

" That shrieked and fell ! Too well I recognised 

" In that sad cry, my Wife, and to her side 

" Distracted sprang ! Half-dead, her vest with blood 

" Bedabbled, striving from her wound to draw 1015 

" The dart — alas! her proper gift! — I raised 

" The fainting form, more dear to me than life 

" Itself, and in my guilty arms sustained, 

" And with my torn robe bound her cruel wound, 

" And strove to stanch the welling flood, and wild 1020 

" Besought her yet to live, nor leave that guilt 

" Of murder on my soul ! Too late ! Too fast 

" The life-stream ebbed! Yet some few eager words 

" She nerved herself to utter, — ( By our bond 

" ' Of wedlock, Cephalus! — by all the Gods, 1025 

" ' By all in me that charmed thee, — by the Love 



Book VIL] STORY OF CEPHALUS AND PROCRIS. 237 

' ' That, as I die, still "warm and true for thee 

' ' Beats in this sinking heart, — ah ! grant me yet 

' t One boon. — nor take this Aura to rny bed ! ' 

' Too late the fatal error of that name 1030 

' I saw, and told : — what boot was then to tell, 

1 When life was ebbing from her 1 — Yet her gaze, 

' Long as it could, — was fixed on mine, — my lips 

' Eeceived her latest breath, — and, undeceived, 

' Methought her spirit peaceful seemed to part ! " 1035 

So, broken by his tears, that piteous tale 
The Hero told. — And iEacus, and both 
The Princes, with the new- raised levy, came, 
And to their General gave the welcome aid. 



THE 



METAMORPHOSES 



OF 



PUBLIUS OVIDIUS NASO 



BOOK VIII. 



THE METAMORPHOSES. 



BOOK VIII. 

I. Now Lucifer unveiled the Morn, and chased 
The Night, and Eurus sank : with humid clouds 
The skies were shrouded, and for Athens fair 
Blew Auster, and before their looked-for time 
Back wafted Cephalus with the friendly force 5 

iEgina lent. Meanwhile before the walls 
Of Lelegeian Megara, Mars' own town, 
King Minos tried his strength, where Nisus held 
The sceptre, famous for one purple tress 
That, curling 'mid his whiter locks, assured, 10 

Inviolate, the safety of his realm. 
Six morns the Sun had risen upon a strife 
Whose issue still was various : — Victory 
Now these, now those, with fickle pinion fanned. 

There stood a tower, high on those vocal walls, — 1 5 
Where Phoebus, so the legend ran, had laid 
His lyre, and with its music filled the stones, — 
Where oft would Nisus' Daughter make resort, 
And with small pebbles call their echoes forth, 

Q 



242 MINOS AND SCYLLA. [Book VIII. 

While yet was Peace. Thence gazed she now on War, 20 

And watched the martial contest rage below, 

And, in that space, each leader's name, his shield, 

His horse, his Cretan quiver, learned to know, 

And one above the rest, Europa's Son, 

Knew but too well ! Whether upon his brows 25 

The crested helmet nodded, or the shield 

Flashed golden from his arm, or if he poised 

Aloft the balanced javelin, — every act 

Lent him fresh grace, so strength and skill seemed blent 

In all : — or, when he fitted to the string 30 

Its shaft, "So stands " — she swore — " Apollo's self, 

" No fairer archer ! " Eut when from his brows 

He doffed the casque, and curbed his foaming steed 

Milk-white, with golden housings decked, the fire 

That burned within her scarce her reason's force 35 

Could master : — " Ah ! too happy lance ! " she cried 

"To be so borne ! too happy reins, so held ! " 

And, but for shame, down, down among those foes 

Her passion would have borne her, or the gates 

Unbarred to give them entrance, or aught els 3 40 

That Minos' thanks might win. And as she gazed 

Upon the Cretan's gleaming tents, " Alas !" 

She cried — " I know not if this war to me 

" Be grief or joy ! If War make Minos foe 

" To her who loves him, but for War I ne'er 45 

" Had Minos known ! Would that myself could end 

" This quarrel, and the Conqueror take in me 

" His prize, his pledge, his hostage, — what he would, 

"So Peace but made me his ! Ah ! if her charms 

" Who bore thee, fairest of mankind, but matched 50 



Book VIIL] MINOS AND SCYLLA. 243 

" Thine own, what wonder if she fired a God 1 

" Thrice happy I, had I but wings to cleave 

" The air, and waft me 'mid yon Gnossian lines 

" To tell my name, my love ! to learn what price 

" Might buy me his! — So only he forbore 55 

" To bid these hands give entrance to these walls. 

" Eather I miss the love for which I thirst 

" Than so by treason win ! Yet oft the yoke 

" Of Victor, just as Minos, hath been proved 

" To make subjection blessing : — yet this War, 60 

" For his slain son, is righteous : — in his cause 

" Strong is he as in arms ! We cannot choose 

" Methinks, but yield : — and, if that end is doomed, 

"Were it not better that my love should ope 

" Our portals than his onset shatter them? 65 

" Better he win us so, ere yet delay 

" Cost more of blood — his own perchance ! — Ah ! Gods ! 

" How still I tremble, lest some ignorant blow 

" That breast should reach, — for sure thy direst foe, 

"Not ignorant, scarce could dare it ! Yes ! 'tis best 70 

" I do it — offer to the man I love 

" My country for my dower, and end this War 

" That wastes us. Ah! but how 1 — The sentinels * 

" Watch ever at their posts, — our portals' keys 

" My Father keeps, — my Father! 'tis that name 75 

" I dread, — my Father only bars my hopes! 

" I would the Gods could rid me of that tie 

" Of Daughter ! Why the Gods 1 We carry each 

" In our own hearts our proper Gods, if bold 

" Enough we be to know it ! Fortune spurns 80 

" The lazy prayers that lack the soul to act ! 



244 MINOS AND SCYLLA. [Book VIII. 

" Long since had any else, with passion fired 

" Like mine, o'erleaped all obstacle ! And why 

" Should I than all he weaker? Fire and sword 

" I dare affront, — hut not of fire or sword 85 

" Is question in this strait. — That lock ! that lock 

" Of purple ! — That, — more precious far than gold, — 

" 'Tis that must win the prize I seek, and crown 

" My hopes with triumph !" When the Eve had lulled 

The household to that first sweet sleep that drowns 90 

The cares of day, noiseless her Father's couch 

She sought, and sacrilegious from his head 

The fatal ringlet shore : — and through the gates 

Armed with that guilty spoil she stole, and through 

The hostile lines, and, confident to win 95 

Welcome for what she bore, to Minos' tent 

She won her way : — and, as she spoke, the King 

Shuddered to hear her ! " Love alone," she said, 

" This crime hath wrought ! I tender thee my land, 

"Its household-Gods, its sway! Thyself is all 100 

" The meed I ask ! Accept then of my love 

" This purple lock the pledge — no worthless gift — 

" For in this lock I pledge my Father's life!" 

And to the King she proffered it. But, shocked 

At that unheard-of crime, the Monarch shrank 105 

And waved her from him ! " Now the Gods" — he cried — 

" shame of this our age, on sea or land 

" Deny thee refuge ! Never that fair isle 

" That nurtured Jove, that calls me Lord, my Crete, 

" Like thee shall monster touch ! " — And, when his will 

Just rule and order in the conquered state 1 1 1 

Had 'stablished, bade his crew their moorings loose 



Book VIIL] MINOS AND SCYLLA. 245 

And seaward ply their oars. She saw them cleave 

The waters — saw her ruined hopes, her crime 

Unguerdoned, — and in furious wrath she burst, 115 

And frantic, with wild waving hands and locks 

Dishevelled, " Whither dost thou fly," she cried, 

" And her who gave thee all desert 1 who thee 

" Held dearer than her country and her Sire? 

" Where, cruel, dost thou fly, whose conquest, owed 120 

" But to my crime, should own its merit too 1 

" Is all that gift, is all my Love, in vain ? 

" Vain all the hope that but in thee was placed 1 

" What refuge rests me, now ? — My Father's realm ? 

" "lis thine! and by my act! — Suppose I stayed, — ■ 125 

" Whom should I seek 1 my Sire 1 — 'twas I, his child, 

" Who sold him to thy hands ! Our citizens 

" Would curse, our neighbours shun me ! I have barred 

" All Earth beside in Crete to find a home, 

" And that dost thou deny me! Fly then, fly 130 

" Ungrateful ! !Never thee Europa bore, 

" But some Armenian tigress ! — Syrtis 'twas 

" That from her pitiless whirlpool spawned thee forth, 

" Or fell Charybdis, lashed by Auster's blast 

" To fiercer wrath ! — Jove never was thy Sire ! — 135 

" The tale, that tells thy mother in that form 

" Deceived, but lies! The Bull that thee begot 

" Was but a savage brute whom never love 

"Even for his own kind softened! Come my Sire 

"And venge thee on thy child! And ye, ye walls 140 

" My treason sold, exult to see me pay 

" The penalty I merit! Yet my doom 

" Should come at least from those my fault hath wronged : — 



246 THE LABYRINTH. [Book VIII. 

" Nor thou, who conquerest by my crime, be first 

" To brand it ! — If to country and to Sire 145 

" I sinned, to thee that guilt should virtue seem ! 

" Ah ! worthy of thee was that spouse whose lust 

" Unnatural in false semblance won a beast 

" With monstrous load to fill her! — Dost thou hear 1 ? 

" Or do the winds that waft thy vessels hence 150 

" My idle words disperse 1 — No wonder, if 

" Pasiphae better loved that bull than thee, 

" Thyself more brutal far ! — Alas ! his bark 

" Is launched, — his sails are set, — his parting oars 

" Plash in the whitening wave! The very ground 155 

" I stand on backward seems to shrink ! — In vain 

" Ungrateful ! dost thou fly ! whether thou wilt 

" Or no, I follow thee ! Thy vessel's poop, 

" Thy oars, this desperate hand shall clutch, and float 

" Or drown upon thy track!" And, as she spoke, 160 

Headlong she plunged, and, Cupid nerving her 

To more than mortal effort, caught the bark 

Of Minos, and the rudder clasped, and clung, 

No welcome weight, suspended ! — But her Sire 

Msus — "by this to Halcyon shape transformed — 165 

Cleaving the air swooped on her, and in fright 

Her hand its hold let go ! But not to drown ! 

The light air barred her fall, and sudden-plumed 

A bird she floated, known as Ciris still 

In memory of that fatal lock she shore. 170 

II. Due hecatombs to Jove the gratitude 
Of Minos, Victor to his Cretan shores 
Restored, had paid; — with spoil of Megara 



Book VIII. ] THE LABYRINTH. 247 

His palace-walls were gay. But now that curse 

And scandal of his house, the Minotaur, — 175 

Fruit biform of Pasiphae's hideous lust, — 

Had grown : and in a secret maze, where none 

Might penetrate, the Monarch hid the shame 

That stained his nuptial honour. Daedalus 

Of Athens 'twas, Artificer of all 180 

That age most famed, that planned the work, and traced 

The baffling paths, with windings intricate 

Whence never he who entered, worn, and lost 

In still delusive wanderings, found return. 

As in the Phrygian plains Mseander sports 185 

Ambiguous, forward now, now back again, — 

And curves, and winds, and inland turning meets 

His own descending flood, now to his source, 

Now to the Ocean rolling, never sure 

Which way he flows, — so of that Labyrinth 190 

The art of Daedalus bewildering twined 

The paths, that from the tangle of its maze 

Himself scarce found his way. There Minos hid 

The monstrous shape, half-bull, half-man, that twice 

With Attic blood was glutted. But, when fell 195 

For the third time that horrid tribute due, 

By virgin-hands the clue was lent ; — the Pest 

Destroyed; — the difficult path was backward tracked: — 

And iEgeus' son to Dia bore the child 

Of Minos, and, ungrateful, there to pine 200 

Deserted left. Deserted as she wept 

Great Liber saw and loved her, and in Heaven 

Bade shine among the Stars. The wreath that bound 

Her brows he snatched, and, upward as 'twas borne 



248 DiEDALUS AND ICARUS. [Book VIII. 

The gems that decked it to celestial fires 205 

Were changed, and took, in glittering coronal, 
Their place among the radiant orbs above, 
'Twixt Ophiuchus and Alcides set. 

III. But Daedalus, at exile chafing now 
Too long, and yearning for his native shores, 210 

The Sea in Crete held prisoner. " Land and wave " 
He cried, " deny me way ! But Heaven above 
" Lies open ! Heaven shall bear me home ! All else 
" May Minos bar — he cannot bar the air ! " 
So spake he, and to arts unheard-of yet, 215 

Passing the force of Nature, bent his thought; 
And wings he framed, from short to longer quill 
With gradual slope expanding, — as the Swain 
Fits to his rustic pipe the unequal reeds, — 
With thread the longer binding and with wax 220 

The shorter, to such arch, as curves the wings 
Of very birds, inclined. Beside him stood 
His Icarus, his boy, — and laughed to see 
The light breeze stir the plumes, and, ignorant 
That so his fate he handled, with warm touch 225 

Of meddlesome fingers on the yielding wax, 
Boylike, more marred than helped the great design. 
But now the final touch was given, — the wings 
Were waved, and light in air the Artist rose 
Triumphant floating. Then he taught the boy 230 

Their use : — and " Midway keep thy course," he said — 
" My Icarus, I warn thee ! or, too low, 
" The damps will clog thy pinions, or, too high, 
" The heats relax them. Midway hold thy flight, 



Book VIII. ] 



DiEDALUS AND ICARUS. 



" Nor dare too near to soar where Helice 
" Shines dangerous, or Bootes, or trie sword 
" That decks Orion's glittering belt. By mine 
" Thy course direct ! " And many a precept more 
He gave, and careful as he bound the wings 
Upon the shoulders of the boy, his cheeks 
Were wet with tears, and in the task his hands 
Paternal trembled. Then he kissed the child 
He ne'er might kiss again, and sprang, and soared, 
And led the way, and, as the mother-bird 
When first her offspring from the nest essays 
The air, he hovered anxious, cheering on 
The boy to follow, and with fatal art 
Enjoining thus or thus his wings to ply 
As he example gave. And on they flew; — 
And on their flight the Fisher at his rod, 
The Shepherd on his crook, the Hind at plough 
Astounded gazed, and deemed they must be Gods 
Who so could cleave the air ! Behind them now 
Far on the left Junonian Samos lay, 
And Delos' isle and Paros ; — on their right 
Lebynthus, and Calymne rich with bloom 
Of honeyed flowers. And soon the boy, elate 
With that new power, more daring grew, and left 
His guide, and higher, with ambitious flight, 
Soared, aiming at the skies ! Upon his wings 
The rays of noon struck scorching, and dissolved 
The waxen compact of their plumes : — and down 
He toppled, beating wild with naked arms 
The unsustaining air, and with vain cry 
Shrieking for succour from his Sire ! The Sea 



249 

235 



240 



245 



250 



255 



260 



265 



250 STORY OF PERDIX. [Book VIII. 

That bears his name received him as he fell. 

Alarmed, the Sire — alas ! a Sire no more ! — 

Looked round — " Ho ! Icarus ! " he cried — " My Son ! 

" Where art thou, Icarus 1 Whither dost thou stray 1 " 

And on the wave the floating plumes he saw, 270 

And knew his fate, and cursed the fatal art 

That wrought it ! On a neighbouring isle he raised 

His tomb, — whose name, Icaria, tells his tale : — 

And, as due rites of sepulture he paid, 

A Partridge, perched upon a branching oak 275 

Hard by, exulting flapped his wings, and seemed 

For very joy to strain his throat : — a bird 

As yet unique, to earlier times unknown, 

Whom late the shameful crime of Daedalus 

Himself to fowl had changed. His Sister's son 280 

The bird had been. She, ignorant of his fate 

Impending, to his Uncle's charge had given 

The youth to train : — a lad of twice six years, 

Docile, and apt to learn, and turn whate'er 

He learned to use. Upon the fish's back 285 

The spines he marked and copied, and with teeth 

Of iron framed the saw : — the first was he 

Who, linking at one end twin rods of steel, 

This fixed and that revolving, taught to use 

The circle-tracing compass. Jealousy 290 

Inflamed the Tutor's soul : and from a tower 

In Athens down he thrust the unguarded boy, 

And with some lying tale of casual fall 

Disguised the crime. But Pallas, patroness 

Ever of genius, caught him as he fell, 295 

And clad him in 'mid air with plumes, and changed 



Book VIIL] THE CALYDONIAN BOAR. 25 1 

To bird, and that quick spirit that he owned 

To nimbleness of wing and foot transferred : 

And Perdix men still call him, as of yore. 

But never soars he high in air, or builds 300 

In tree-top ; — low he flies and near the ground, 

And in the stubbled furrow or the hedge 

Fashions his nest, as though he feared to try 

Again the height from which of old he fell. 

IV. And now had Daedalus his weary flight 305 

By iEtna stayed, and Cocalus his cause 
Espousing gave him shelter. Theseus' sword 
Had freed his Athens from her grievous tax 
Paid to the Cretan Pest : — her fanes were wreathed 
With garlands, and to Pallas, and to Jove, 310 

To all the Gods, with gift and victim due, 
From many a censer curled the fragrant cloud. 
All Argos' all Achaia's wealthy towns 
Rang with the fame of Theseus : — in all strait 
• Of war or peril 'twas to him the states 315 

Around for succour looked. For Calydon, 

Strong as she was in Meleager's shield, 

That aid was needed now. A savage Boar, 

Fell minister of Dian's vengeful wrath, 

Wasted her fields. King CEneus — so 'twas said — 320 

What time the plenteous harvest crowned the year, 

To Ceres gave the first-fruits of her corn, — 

To Liber of his wine, — to Pallas poured 

Her olive's golden juice. All Rural Gods, 

All higher Powers of Heaven, save one, with feast 325 

And rite were honoured : — at Diana's shrine 



252 THE HUNTING OF [Book VIII. 

Alone no incense smoked. And wrath will wake 

Even in celestial bosoms : — " So ! " she cried — 

" Unhononred am I ! but not unavenged ! 

" The slight shall cost them dear ! " and on the fields 330 

Of CEneus sent the wasteful Boar. No bull 

Grazed huger in Epirus' meads, — so huge 

Sicilia's pastures bred not : — fiery red 

His eyeballs glared; upon his neck and back 

Horrent as some strong rampart's ordered stakes 335 

Or line of levelled spears, the bristles stood ; 

Hoarse-grunting jaws his shoulders flecked with foam ; 

Teeth, like the tusks of India's monstrous brute, 

Gnashed terrible; and in his fiery breath, 

As though Heaven's nghtning flashed from out his throat, 

The herbage scorched. Or in the blade the corn 341 

Was trampled, or amid the golden ears 

Eipening, that Ceres loves, the spoiler came,. 

And o'er his blasted hope the Earmer wept : 

The threshing-floor was silent, and the barn 345 

Unfilled. O'er all the ravaged vineyard strewn 

Tendril and cluster lay; — the olive's green 

Of branch and fruit was rifled. Nor on these 

Alone his rage was spent. In vain the guard 

Of shepherd and of sheep-dog strove to save 350 

The harried fold; — before his herd the Bull 

Stood impotent to shield it. From the fields 

Men fled : — the City's walls alone were safe, 

Till, fired to win the glory of that Pest 

Destroyed, a chosen band of gallant chiefs 355 

With Meleager gathered : — the Twin-Sons 

Whom Leda bore, — this for the managed steed 



Book VIII. ] THE CALYDONIAN BOAR. 253 

That for the caestus famed; — Jason, whose hand 

Laid earliest Argo's keel; and, one in soul, 

Sworn comrades, Theseus and Piritholis came; — 360 

And Thestius' sons, — and Lynceus, quick-eyed child 

Of Aphareus; — and Idas, fleet of foot; — 

And Coeneus now from woman changed to man; — 

Leucippus, and Acastus skilled to hurl 

The lance, — Hippothoiis, and Amyntor's heir 365 

Phoenix, and Dryas ; — Actor's either twin, — 

And Phyleus, Elis-born : — nor Telamon 

Was absent, nor the great Achilles' Sire : — 

Came Pheres' son, Admetus, — Iolas 

Boeotian-sprung, — Eurytion's ready hand, — 370 

Narycian Lelex, — Hyleus, — Panopeus, — 

Echion's speed unrivalled in the race, — 

And Nestor, proving yet his earliest arms ; — 

Hippocoon from Amyclae's ancient walls ; — 

And he whose son Penelope espoused; — 375 

And Mopsus, prophet-child of Ampycus ; — 

Ancseus of Parrhasia ; — and the Seer 

Amphiaraus, by his treacherous wife 

Yet unbetrayed. With these, from Arcady, 

Of Tegea and Ly casus' groves the pride, 380 

Young Atalanta came : — her floating vest 

A polished buckle clasped, — her careless locks 

In simple knot were gathered: — stored with shafts 

O'er her left shoulder rattled as she moved 

The ivory quiver; — in her hand a bow: — 385 

Fair with such doubtful grace as in a boy 

Had girlish seemed, or boyish in a girl. 

The Calydonian saw, and at first sight — 



254 THE HUNTING OF [Book VIII. 

But Heaven was adverse — loved : — the hidden flame 

He smothered, and " Thrice happy he," he sighed, 390 

" Whome'er thy choice shall bless!" but more the time 

For shame forbade ; the impending peril claimed 

The moment's every thought. With gradual slope 

Of densest woodland rose the valley's side 

For centuries unfelled, whose height o'erlooked 395 

The hollow. There the hunters met. The toils 

These spread, — these slipped the eager hounds, — these 

tracked 
The quarry's trampled path: each covetous 
Himself to dare the danger. Down the hills 
The rain-floods foaming to a lake had swelled 400 

The valley's brook, with pliant willow green 
And sedge and marshy rush and reed and flag 
Luxuriant fringed : — and, swift as from the clouds 
The lightning flashes, from that lair outsprang 
The monster on his foes. Before his rush 405 

The crashing forest bent and broke ! but firm 
The hunters stood, and with a shout received 
The onset ; — everywhere the fronting spears 
Unwavering gleamed : — but to the hound was woe 
That barred his way, or crossed that glancing tusk 410 

Sheathed in his mangled flank ! Echion first 
His javelin flung, that harmless in the trunk 
Of some tall maple quivered. Jason next 
A weapon launched, that seemed to pierce his back, 
But, grazing merely, too impetuous hurled, 415 

O'ershot its mark. Then Mopsus, — with a prayer 
Eirst uttered, " Phoebus ! if in honour due 
" I e'er have held or hold thee, grant my aim 



Book VIII. ] THE CALYDONIAN BOAR. 255 

" Be true ! " — let fly his lance. And all lie could 

The Godhead granted, but the blow that reached 420 

The Beast was woundless ; — Dian from the shaft 

Yet flying tore the barb : the blunted wood 

Was all that struck him. Furious chafed the Brute, — 

Like lightning flashed his flaming eyes, — his chest 

Breathed very fire! And, — swift, as from the sling 425 

Eight at the walls of some beleaguered town, 

Fatal to all who man them, flies the stone, — 

So, dealing death around, upon his foes 

He charged, and on the right Eupalamus 

And Pelagon to Earth he dashed: — their Mates 430 

Back bore the corses. Nor Hippocob'n's son 

Enaesimus escaped him : — as he turned 

To fly, the fatal tusk his hamstring rent, 

And prone collapsed he sank. And Nestor's self 

Had perished, ere the time of Troy, — but light 435 

On his fixed javelin vaulting, to a tree 

He sprang, and from its sheltering branch looked down, 

Yet scared, upon the baffled foe. Its trunk 

His blinded rage endured; and, confident 

In so new-whetted arms, Othriades 440 

With deadly rent adown the thigh he gashed. 

Conspicuous o'er the rest, — unnumbered yet 

Amid the radiant orbs of Heaven, — the Twins 

Of Leda rode ; — whiter their steeds than snow : — 

And either poised his dart, and sure had dealt 445 

No doubtful blow, — but to the thicket's fence 

Bounded the wary Brute, where never horse 

Or spear might reach him. Telamon, his flight 

With heedless ardour following, o'er a root 



256 THE HUNTING OF [Book VIII. 

Stumbled and fell, and, as his Brother sprang 450 

To raise him, rapid from the bended bow 

Of Atalanta sped a shaft. Behind 

The ear it pierced the monster, and with blood 

His bristles dyed. The happy aim with joy 

Great as her own the Calydonian saw, 455 

And, quick to bid his comrades mark the wound, 

" Be thine," he cried, " the honours of this day ! 

"Thine first!" But, blushing so to be outdone, 

And emulous, with answering shout each chief 

His fellows stirred to rivalry; — and dense 460 

The javelins flew: — their very multitude 

Their purpose foiled, and justling in the air 

Each marred the other's blow. Then on his fate 

Unknowing rushed Ancseus : — to the front 464 

He sprang, and " Learn " — he cried — " what different force 

" Nerves woman's arm and man's ! Give way ! This prize 

" Is mine ! Though Dian's self should guard her Beast, 

" Before her eyes this right hand lays him low !" 

So boastful spake he, and, in either hand 

A mighty axe uplifting, double-edged, 470 

A-tiptoe stood to smite : — but, ere the blow 

Was dealt, deep in his groin, where fatal most 

The wound, the terrible fangs were clenched ; and prone 

The vaunter fell, and with a flood of gore 

From all his gushing entrails soaked the ground! 475 

Eager, upon the foe, with brandished spear 

Pirithous sprang — but Theseus from afar 

The impulse saw, and " Hold ! oh hold ! " he cried, 

" Friend of my soul! be wise ! nor peril thus 

" The life I love as mine ! Here without shame 480 



Book VIIL] THE CALYDONIAN BOAR. 257 

" May heroes fight at distance. All too dear 

" For his mad daring hath Anceeus paid !" 

He said, and launched his javelin, brazen-barbed, 

True-aimed, that fair the Beast had struck, but, checked 

By a broad beech's intercepting branch, 485 

But half its course achieved. And iEson's son 

Once more essayed, but, some ill chance, his dart 

Diverting, pierced a hapless beagle's flank, 

And pinned the guiltless yelper to the ground. 

Then twice from Meleager's hand the spear 490 

AVith varying chance was hurled : — one point in Earth 

Was lost : — but deep within the Monster's back 

Quivering the second stood ! And while he writhed, 

And foamed, and gnashed his frenzied jaws, to feel 

From that new wound the crimson torrent gush, 495 

Upon him leaped its author, bolder now 

To dare his wrath, and with quick blow on blow 

Behind his shoulder drove the gleaming steel ! 

Loud pealed the shout of triumph from the band, — 

And many a gratulant hand the Hero's palm 500 

Clasped eager : — wondering round the Beast they stood, 

And "See what space" — they cried — " his bulk o'erspreads ! " 

And, shrinking yet to touch him, in his blood 

Their spear-points dipped. Upon the grisly head 

The conqueror placed his foot, and to the Maid 505 

He turned him: — " Take," he said, " Nonacria's pride, 

" The spoil that Fortune to this luckier hand 

" Assigns : — enough for me to share the praise 

" More duly all thine own ! " The bristling hide, 

The tusky head with teeth enormous armed, 510 

Pie gave : — and for the giver's sake the gift 



258 THE STORY OF [Book VIII. 

Was doubly dear. But through the envious ranks 

Kan disapproving murmur; — loudest rose 

The cry of Thestius' sons : — " Back ! give it back ! 

" No woman comes betwixt us and our right! 515 

" Nor think to witch us with the charms that fool 

" This doting boy, too far from thee removed 

" For hope of thine to win him ! " And they seized 

The gift, and barred the giver's right to give. 

But OEneus' son no more endured; with wrath 520 

The insult swelled his heart : — and " Learn !" he cried, 

" Learn, ye vile robbers of another's praise ! 

" How deeds can answer threats!" and, unprepared 

For such a blow, Plexippus to the heart 

"With impious blow he smote ! Irresolute 525 

Stood Toxeus, or to venge his brother's fate 

Or fly his own : but him not long in doubt 

The Calydonian left, and, reeking yet 

Eed with its first foul stain of kindred-blood, 

Within his boson plunged the unnatural steel! 530 

With thankful offerings for her son's success 
Still knelt Althea, when that ghastly pair 
Of her slain Brethren met her sight. Her wail 
Through all the city rang : — her festal robe, 
Golden, for mourner's sable stole was doffed: 535 

But, as too soon she learned what hand had dealt 
Their doom, her grief was killed, and in her eyes 
Hot thirst of vengeance dried the fount of tears. 

Safe stored within the palace lay a log 
Which erst, what time she laboured of her boy, 540 

The Fatal Sisters on the hearth had flung, 
And, as they spun his destined thread, " To this 



Book VIII.] ALTHEA AND MELEAGER. 259 

" And thee " — had sung — " newly-born ! we give 

" An equal date ! " and vanished. — From the fire 

The Mother snatched the kindling brand, and quenched 

Its flame, and in a secret closet hid 546 

Preserved, so safe her growing Hero's years 

Preserving too. But now she dragged it forth, 

And high with cloven fagots heaped the hearth, 

And stirred to fatal blaze, — and thrice and once 550 

She raised the brand to fling it on the flames, 

And thrice and once she faltered. In her soul 

With terrible contest of conflicting claim 

Mother and Sister battled ! Now her cheek 

Paled at the purposed crime ; — now from her eyes 555 

Eed fury flashed ! Now pitiless, as one 

Wrought-up and bent to horrid act, she glared; 

Now pitying seemed to melt ; — and ever, as 

The fire that burned within her parched her tears 

Love started tears afresh. And, as a bark, 560 

By wind and tide contrarious buffeted, 

Alternate yielding, now the wave obeys 

And now the gust, — so fared it with the soul 

Of Thestius' Daughter : — Now her vengeance ebbed 

And now swelled high again, till at the last 565 

The Sister quelled the Mother, and the crime, 

Impious, that soothed with blood her Brothers' Shades, 

Seemed piety ! The fatal fire blazed high ! 

The fatal brand was raised ! and to that shrine 

Accurst the fatal sacrifice was borne ! 570 

And " Burn ! " she cried — " My proper bowels ! burn ! 

" And ye, dread Sisters three of awful Hell, 

" Eumenides ! exult to see how guilt 



260 THE STORY OF [Book VIII. 

" Avenges guilt ! Yea, Death for Death, and crime 
" For crime, and blood for blood I offer ye! 575 

" Be all our house in one vast ruin whelmed! 
" Shall happy CEneus boast his Victor-boy, 
" And Thestius son-less mourn 1 — No ! better both 
" Should weep alike ! — But ye, my Brothers' souls, 
" New in that realm of Shadows, own what price 580 

" My duty pays ! Your funeral-offering costs 
" Your Sister's very blood ! — Ah ! Woe is me ! 
" Whither does passion hurry me 1 Forgive, 
" Forgive a Mother, Brethren, if her hands 
" Are weak to do you right! For just it is 585 

" That he should die: — I own it: — 'tis your due: — 
" But not, oh ! not from me ! — Must he then live, 
" Nor live alone, but, glorying in his crime, 
" Triumphant lord it here in Calydon, 
"While ye, chill wandering shadows, lie in dust, 590 

" Unhonoured, unavenged % — It shall not be ! 
" Perish the wretch! ay, and his Father's hope, 
" His throne, his realm, whelm headlong in his fall ! — 
" Was that a Mother's voice 1 — Is't thus the bond 
" Is snapped that links a Parent to the child 595 

" For ten long months within her bosom borne? 
" Ah! would to Heaven that at thy birth this hand 
" Had left that brand to burn ! My gift it is 
" That yet thou livest : — 'tis thy proper deed 
"That dooms thee now: — take thine own crime's re- 
ward ! 600 
" Beturn the life that twice I gave thee — once 
" In that curst hour of travail, and once more 
" When from the flames I tore it ! give it back, 






Book VIII. ] ALTHEA AND MELEAGER. 26 1 

" Or slay me too, and let one common tomb 

" Unite the three! 1 burn to do this deed, 605 

" And yet I cannot do it ! — Yea, I see, 

" I see ye, my murdered Brothers' Shades ! 

" And there I see my Son ! Ah ! "Woe is me ! 

" Ye conquer ! but an evil conquest 'tis 

" My Brothers that ye win! I follow ye ! 610 

" And the same hand that rights your injured Ghosts 

" Must doom mine own to join them! " — Then, with glance 

Averted, high she heaved the fatal brand 

And flung it 'mid the flames ! The very log 

Or moaned, or seemed to moan! The very flames 615 

Unwilling seemed to lick it as it blazed ! 

Unconscious, absent, as the fagot burned 
Burned Meleager too : — consuming fires 
Internal scorched his vitals. Manfully 
He battled with his pangs: — yet " Better far," 620 

He murmured, " like Ancseus to have died, 
" Than this inglorious end ! " and on his Sire 
Moaning he called, and on all names beloved 
Of Brother, and of Sisters fond, and Wife, 
Haply his Mother's too ! — As soared or sank 625 

The flames, now blazing fierce, now languishing, 
His fitful torment answered them, till both 
In one last flash, one final pang, were spent, 
And the light airs received the parting soul. 

All Calydon was plunged in woe ! Her Youth, 630 

Her Sires, her Chiefs, her People, wept alike, — 
And, wild, Evenus' Matrons rent their locks 
In lamentation. Prostrate on the Earth 
Lay (Eneus, — in the dust his hoary hair 



262 THE NAIADS [Book VIII. 

Defiled, — and cursed his too-protracted day! 635 

For her, — that sorrow's guilty cause, — hy this 

In her own blood, with suicidal steel, 

The Mother's hand the Mother's crime had paid. 

But never, had the God a hundred tongues 

Bestowed, and soul to dare the theme, or lent 640 

All music of muse-haunted Helicon, 

Never could language hope to paint the grief 

Of those heart-broken Sisters ! Wild they beat 

And bruised to purple all their bosom's snow, 

And round the corse, while yet the corse remained, 645 

With fond embraces cherishing they clung, 

And shower of passionate kisses on the clay 

And on the bier that bore it; and the urn 

That held liis gathered ashes to their breasts " 

They hugged, and round his tomb they flung them down, 

And clasped the stones that bore the name beloved^ 651 

And with their tears the senseless letters bathed. 

But now that ruin of Parthaon's house 
Had glutted Dian's vengeful wrath ! — and all, 
Save Gorge, and the maid Alcmena's son 655 

Won for his bride, she lifted light, and clad 
With plumy down, and furnished arm and face 
With wing and horny beak, and bade them fly 
To birds transformed, and range the fields of air. 

V. His manful part among those hunters played, 660 
Homeward to Athens Theseus bent his way. 
But Acheloiis, swoln with rain-floods, rose 
And barred it. " Deign " — he said — " illustrious Son 
" Of Cecrops' line, awhile beneath my roof 



Book VIII. ] CHANGED TO ISLANDS. 263 

" To rest, nor dare attempt this furious flood, 665 

" That in its roaring torrent whirls adown 

" Whole trees and huger rocks. Myself have seen 

" With all its flock the neighbouring fold engulfed; 

" The bull, for all his strength, the horse, for all 

" His speed, swept helpless; — ay, and, when the srfows 

" Dissolving from the mountains swell its force, 671 

" The herdsman's self whirled headlong! Safer stay,. 

" Till to its wonted level sinks the stream 

" Pent in its proper channel." — " Thanks, for both 

" Thy counsel and thy offer" — quoth the Son 675 

Of (Egeus— " both I take ! And both he took. 

Of pumice and of tophus rough the hall 
Was framed; its floor was soft with humid moss : 
The glittering roof with chequered shells was gay. 

^"ow of his westward course two-thirds the Sun 680 

Had traversed : — at the hospitable board 
Sate Theseus and his train, — Ixion's Son, 
And Lelex, Trcezen's hero, tinging now 
With early gray his brows, and whoso else, 
Proud of that famous Guest, the Eiver-God 685 

To share the feast had bidden. Bare-footed Nymphs 
The viands served, and, when the banquet ceased, 
Bright in the crystal goblets poured the wine. 
But on the Sea that rolled below them gazed 
The Hero — and " How call ye yonder isle % " 690 

He said, and pointed as he spoke, — " though more 
" Than one, methinks, it seems." The Eiver-God 
Made answer. " More they are ; — five separate isles : 
" 'Tis but the distance cheats the eye, and blends 
" Their outlines into one. If Dian's wrath 695 



264 STORY OF PERIMELE. [Book VIII. 

" For slighted honours move thy wonder, hear 

" Their tale, and wonder less. The Isles thou seest 

" Were Naiads once : — upon a solemn morn 

" Ten bullocks had they sacrificed, and all 

" The rural Gods to grace the liberal rite, 70c 

" And lead the dance, and share the feast, had called, — 

" Save me, alone forgotten. In my wrath 

" I rose, nor ever higher swelled my flood 

" Than on that day; — my very waters shared 

" Their Master's passion: — tree from tree, and field 705 

" From field my torrent tore, and from their place 

" Those Nymphs, too late remembering whom they scorned, 

" Adown to Ocean hurried. Ocean joined 

" His force to mine: the sohd shore was rent: 

" And Nymph and shattered fragment, seaward whirled, 

" "Were fixed in yon Echinades thou seest, 711 

" As many islands now as Naiads then. 

VI. " Apart — thou seest it there — another isle 
" There lies, that yet I love. The sailor knows 
" And calls it Perimele. From the Maid 715 

" My passion erst had snatched her virgin-flower : 
" And pitiless her Sire, Hippodamas, 
" What time her swelling form her fault betrayed, 
" Had hurled her to my waves. I caught her fall, 
" And, swimming yet, supported her: — and ' Oh! ' 720 

" I prayed — ' Great Ocean Lord, whose trident sways 
" ' The wandering realm of waters, next to Heaven's 
" ' The widest, — Thou in whom all sacred streams 
" ' End confluent, finding rest, — befriend me now, 
" ' And hear my prayer, Neptunus ! — I it was 725 



Book VIII.] STORY OF BAUCIS AND PHILEMON. 265 

" ' "Who wronged this Maid I bear. Had but her Sire 

" ' Been just, been merciful, bad but one spark 

" ' Of love paternal "warmed bis impious breast, 

" ' His child be must bave pitied. Pardon, Tbou, 

" ' And belp us both! This barbarous doom avert, 730 

" ' And give her in thy realm a place, or make 

" ' Herself a place, which yet my circling waves 

" * In their embrace may clasp ! ' The Lord of Seas 

" His head inclined, and all his rippling flood 

" Assenting murmured. Frightened as she swam — 735 

" For still she swam — against my lapping wave 

" Fainter and fainter throbbed her bosom's pulse, 

" And, in the time I take to tell the tale, 

" While fondly yet I bore her up, I felt 

" Her tender body harden, and a crust 740 

" Of earth her form o'erspread ; the limbs she plied 

" Stiffened to rock: and, waxing as she changed 

" To ampler bulk the Nymph an island stood!" 

VII. So ceased the Eiver-God, and at his tale 
Marvelled the guests. But with his wonted scoff 745 

Irreverent and contemptuous of the Gods, 
Ixion's son their easy credence mocked : — 
" Tales! pleasant tales!" he cried — "and fanciful, 
" Acheloiis ! but too high the Gods 
" Thy reverence rates, if thus thou deem'st their power 
" Can shift and chop and change us at their will!" 751 
But on the rest displeasing jarred the sneer 
Profane, — a moment mute, till, ripe in years 
And judgment, Lelex answered grave : — " Immense 
" The might of Heaven and infinite! Whate'er 755 



266 STORY OF BAUCIS AND PHILEMON. [Book VIII. 

" The Immortals will, is clone ! Hear what myself 

" Of proof can urge. 'Mid Phrygia's hills there stands, 

" Fenced by a lowly wall, a spot where grow 

" Two trees, a linden one and one an oak • 

" These eyes have seen the place, what time, long years 

" Agone, on Pittheus' mission, to the realm 761 

" That erst his father Pelops swayed, I went. 

" Hard by a lake it stands that floods a tract 

" Once habitable, now of teal and coot 

" The haunt, and every fowl that loves the pool. 765 

" Thither of yore, it chanced, in mortal form 

" Concealed came Jove, and, with his Sire, the Son 

" Of Maia, nor by wing nor rod betrayed. 

" For rest and shelter at a thousand doors 

" They knocked; a thousand doors were locked and barred : 

" One only let them in : — a lowly hut 771 

" Of meanest size, rude-thatched with rush and reed. 

" But in that humble cottage, early-wed, 

" A loving pair, from youth to latest age 

" Had good old Baucis and Philemon dwelt. 775 

" Content for them had lightened Poverty 

" And easy made its yoke. No difference there 

" Of master or of servant ; — each was each ; — 

" The two were all the household, both alike 

" Commanding and obeying. Stooping low 780 

" The heaven-born visitors the threshold passed, 

" And straight a bench Philemon placed, — a rug 

" For cushion o'er it bustling Baucis spread : 

" And from the hearth the whitened ashes raked, 

" And waked anew her last night's fire, and fed 785 

" With leaves and bark, and with her panting breath 



Book VIII.] STORY OF BAUCIS AND PHILEMON. 267 

" For bellows puffed it into blaze, and set 

" Her little kettle, and with ample store 

" Of chips and withered branches, hung to dry 

" Upon the blackened rafters, made it boil, 790 

" And trimmed the cabbage that her husband brought 

" Fresh from their little watered garden-plot. 

" He with a prong meanwhile a smoky chine 

" Of bacon from the sooty roof unhooked, 

" And from the flitch a moderate portion carved 795 

" And boiled ; and, as the simple meal was dressed, 

" With chat of country matters whiled the time. 

" Suspended from a peg a beechen pail 

" Swung by the handle : this, with water warm 

" "Well filled, for foot-bath served. The bedstead next 

" Of willow, from its corner dragged, was pressed 801 

" To service for a couch : its mattress, stuffed 

" With sedge, a coverlet, for holiday use 

" Eeserved, o'erspread — well worn, in sooth, and old, 

" But clean and spotless, matching what it draped. 805 

" The Gods their places took. The crone, with skirt 

" Tucked up, and hand that in its office shook 

" Tremulous with zeal, the trivet-table set ; 

" And, where one limping leg was short, — she clapped 

" A saucer underneath, and, steadied so, 810 

" Sweetened with leaves of fragrant mint the board. 

" With Pallas' parti-coloured olive first 

" The feast began, and autumn-cornels stored 

" In pickle, — endive — radish — cheese new-pressed — 

" And eggs amid the embers deftly poached, — 8 1 5 

" In earthen platters served. And of like ware 

" A bowl she placed, with figures rudely wrought, 



268 STORY OF BAUCIS AND PHILEMON. [Book VIII. 

" And beechen drinking-cups, with yellow wax 

" Assiduous rubbed and polished. Briskly served 

"And smoking from the hearth the viands came. 820 

" Wine of the year, yet sweet and thick with must, 

" Prefaced the second course, of Carian figs 

" And nuts, and dates, and ruddy apples piled 

" In fragrant basket, and of plums composed, 

" And fresh-cut clusters of the purple vine, 825 

" Eanged round a central honey-comb. — If poor 

" The cheer, not poor the will that offered it ; — 

" And honest smile and hearty welcome made 

" The meal a very banquet. But amazed 

" The Host and Hostess saw the goblet drained 830 

" Spontaneous fill anew ! Invisible hands 

" The butler played, and crowned the emptied cup ! 

" And frightened to their prayers they fell, and begged 

" For pardon of that meagre cheer, to Guests 

" Miraculous offered. — One lean goose they had, 835 

" Sole cackling guardian of their humble cot, 

" And her for sacrifice they doomed : — but swift 

" The fowl outran her feeble Lord's pursuit 

" And baffled, and, instinctive, to the Gods 

" Themselves for shelter fled. The suppliant's life 840 

" Jove bade them spare. ' Yea, rightly have ye judged ! 

" ' Gods are we both ' — he said — ' as these rude churls 

" ' Inhospitable to their cost shall learn! 

" ' But fear not ye ! to you no harm shall come, 

" l So on our steps ye follow. Quit your hut, 845 

" ' And scale yon hill with us.' Obedient both, 

" With labouring steps upon their staves sustained, 

" And panting, clomb behind : — and now, within 



Book VIII. ] STtfRY OF BAUCIS AND PHILEMON. 269 

" A bowshot of the summit, round they looked 

" And lo! the Yale beneath them lay a lake, 850 

" And every dwelling save their own was drowned ! 

VIE IX. " Awe-struck they gazed, with natural tears 
the fate 
" Of all they knew lamenting, — when, behold ! 
" The hut, erewhile scarce big enough for two, 
" A Temple rose ! Tall columns propped the roof, — 855 
" The thatch was glittering gold, — the floor was paved 
" With marble, — and with panels curious carved 
" The humble door a stately portal stood ! 
" Then gracious spake the voice of Saturn's Son : — 
" ' good old man, and thou, his worthy mate, 860 

" ' Ask what ye would, — 'tis granted ! ' And the pair 
" Awhile conferring made their joint request. 
" ' Make us, great Sire of Gods, of this thy fane 
" 'The guardian Priest and Priestess, and the lives 
" 'Together linked through many a happy year 865 

" ' Together end : — nor let Philemon's eyes 
" ' His Baucis' tomb behold, or Baucis live 
" ' To bear her lost Philemon to his own ! ' 
" The pious prayer was granted : — and while yet 
" The Fates allowed, Priestess and Priest they were j 870 
" Till, as one morn upon the hallowed steps, 
" Bowed now with years, they stood, and to a knot 
" Of wondering hearers told the Temple's tale, 
" Surprised each saw the other's figure change 
" And sprout with sudden verdure : and, as round 875 

" Their forms the rapid foliage spread, while yet 
" They could, one mutual fond 'Farewell' they took, 



270 THE CHANGES OF PROTEUS. [Book VIII. 

" One Kiss, — and o'er their faces closed the bark, 

" And both in trees were hidden! — Still the boughs 

" That interlacing link the neighbour trunks 880 

" Tyana's peasant loves to show : — the tale 

" Her gravest elders, — men not like to lie, 

" As wherefore should they lie 1 — with serious faith 

" Attested to these ears. The honoured boughs 

" Myself have seen with garlands decked, — myself 885 

" One garland added more. ' The Gods ' — I said — 

" 6 Are just. The Pious ever are their care : — 

" ' And Heaven still honours those who honour Heaven ! '" 

X. He ceased : — the teller and the tale alike 
His audience held respectful, — Theseus more 890 

Than all, inquisitive what miracles 
Of change the Gods can work. The Eiver-God 
Upon his elbow leaning, made reply. 

"Some, Prince, there are" — he said — "who once-trans- 
formed 
" No more of change are capable ; some pass 895 

" Prom shape to shape at will. Example chief 
" Of these is Proteus, dweller in the Sea 
" That belts our Earth embracing, — now a Youth, 
" A Lion now, a raging Boar, a Snake 
" Too terrible for touch; — with threatening horns 900 

" A Bull he glares, or in a Stone or Tree 
" Lurks hidden, or delusive cheats the eye 
" In semblance of conflicting elements, 
" And now a Eiver rolls, now flames a Fire. 

XL " Like power had Metra, Eresicthon's child, 905 



Book VIII. ] STORY OF ERESICTHON. 2J\ 

" Wife of Autolycus, whose scoffing Sire 

" Mocked at the Gods, nor ever with the smoke 

" Of incense wreathed their altars. He it was 

" "Whose impious axe 'mid Ceres' sacred grove 

" Dared violate her immemorial shades. 910 

" Huge with the growth of ages in its midst 

" An ancient Oak there stood, itself a grove, 

" With votive tablets hung and grateful gifts 

" For vows accomplished. Underneath its shade 

" The Dryads wove their festal dance, and linked 915 

" In circle, hand-in-hand, its giant bulk 

" Would measure : — fifteen ells in girth it spread, 

" O'ertopping meaner trees as meaner trees 

" O'ertopped the grass beneath them. Nor its age 

" Nor honour moved the son of Triope : — 920 

" ' Fell it ! ' he cried, and, as the woodman shrank 

" That hest profane to execute, himself 

"Snatched from his hand the axe, and, — 'What! ye 

Knaves ! 
" ' Dear to a Goddess is it? Were itself 
" ' A Goddess, soon its head shall touch the ground ! ' 925 
" So spake he blasphemous; and, for the stroke, 
" Slanting above his shoulder poised the steel. 
" The trembling tree sent forth an audible groan ! 
" From its pale leaves and acorns died the green, — 
" Dark oozing sweat from every branch distilled, — 930 
" And, as the scoffer smote it, crimson-red 
" Gushed from the wounded bark the sap, as streams 
" When at the altar falls some mighty Bull 
" The life-blood from his neck. Aghast his train 
" Beheld, and one, more daring than the rest 935 



2/2 STORY OF ERESICTHON. [Book VIII. 

" Essayed to bar a second stroke. But fierce 

" Upon his follower from the tree he turned: — 

" ' So pious art thou 1 ' cried he — ' then be this 

" ' Thy piety's reward ! ' and with a blow 

" His skull he cleft, and with redoubled rage 940 

" The sacred tree assailed. Then from its heart 

" Issued a voice : — ' Thou strikest in this trunk 

" ' A Nymph whom Ceres loves, and for the deed 

Si ' Dearly shalt pay ! With my last voice thy doom 

" ' I prophesy, and in thy imminent fate 945 

" ' Find solace for my own ! ' But reckless he 

" His crime pursued, till gashed with stroke on stroke 

" Of axe, and bowed with strain of rope on rope, 

" Yielded the tottering tree, and with its weight 

" Crushed into ruin half the circling wood! 950 

" Weeping their Sister lost, their grove despoiled, 

" Black-stoled at Ceres' feet the Dryads knelt 

" For vengeance: and as, gracious, in assent 

" Her beauteous brows she nodded, far around 

" Besponsive all the yellowing harvest waved. 955 

" The suppliants' selves, but that his sacrilege 

" All touch of pity barred, had pitied him 

" The doom she spake, — to waste by lingering pangs 

" Of famine torn and tortured. But, as ne'er 

" That terrible Minister from herself her charge 960 

" Might take — (for still where Ceres smiles the Fates 

" Forbid the approach of Famine, — ) to her side 

" She called a sister of the Oread band, 

" And spake : — ' On farthest Scythia's frozen shore 

A sterile tract there lies and desolate, 965 

A corn-less tree-less waste, where torpid Cold 



ii C 



Book VIII.] STORY OF ERESICTHON. 273 

" ' And Pallor wan and shivering Tremor dwell 
" ' "With ever-pining Famine. Thou this last 
" ' Command, that in the sacrilegious breast 
" ' Of Eresicthon straight she house herself, 970 

" ' Lodge in his very vitals, — waste his wealth, 
" ' His stores, — and with myself and all my force 
" * Strive might and main, and in the strife o'ercome ! 
" ' Nor let the distance fright thee: — take my car, 
" ' And thither guide through Heaven its dragon-steeds.' 
" She said, and gave it. On that chariot borne 976 

" Sped through the fields of air the Messenger, 
" Nor, till she reached the frozen peaks that men 
" Call Caucasus, her winged team unyoked. 
" There grovelling on a stony plain she found 980 

" The Pest she sought — tearing with tooth and nail 
" The sparse and stinted herbage, — all unkempt 
" Her sloven locks, — pale-cheeked and hollow-eyed — 
" Her lips with filth begrimed — her cankered jaws 
" With long-accumulate foulness furred and rough: — 985 
" Through her dry skin her entrails visible throbbed : — 
" From her lank loins her craggy hips stood out: — 
" What should be belly was a shrunken void, 
" A belly's place alone : — her dangling dugs 
" From the mere spine suspended seemed to hang : — 990 
" And in her leanness every joint looked huge, 
" And callous knee and knotted ancle swoln 
" To disproportioned bulk. Her as the Nymph 
" Afar beheld — not daring near approach — 
" The Goddess' hest she spoke, nor longer stayed, 995 

" For, in that moment, distant as she stood, 
" Unwonted sense of craving seemed to wake 

s 



274 STORY OF ERESICTHON. [Book VIII. 

" Within her : — and with homeward course sublime 
" To Thessaly the dragon-team she sped. 

XII. " Obedient, though the Power whose will she works 
" Still thwarts her own, swift borne upon the winds iooi 
" To Thessaly and that devoted house 
" Flies Famine ; and beside the midnight-couch 
" Where sunk in heaviest slumber lies its Lord 
" She stands, and o'er him like a vampire folds 1005 

" Her pinions — breathes herself into his frame — 
" Steals to his heart with every breath he draws — 
" And pours eternal hunger through his veins. 
" And so, her task accomplished, from the realm 
" Whose plenty seems to mock her, back she flies 1010 
" To the bare waste that makes her wonted home. 
" Sleep with the fanning of her placid wings 
" Still lulls the unwitting king ; — but in his dreams 
" Delusive banquets tempt him, and his jaws 
" Eager he works, and 'twixt his grinding teeth 1015 

" The visionary viands champs and chews, 
" And, weary with the empty toil, devours 
" Mere mocking feast of unsubstantial air. 
" But, with the morn's awaking, real and fierce 
" In ravenous jaw and craving entrail burns 1020 

" The rage of Famine : — whatsoe'er of food 
" Earth, Sea, or Air supplies his maw demands. 
" At the full board he hungers, — ere one meal 
" Is ended for another calls ; — what store 
" Had well supplied his city or his realm 1025 

" Serves but to whet one monstrous appetite, 
" That still the more it gorges craves for more. 



Book VIIL] " STORY OF ERESICTHON. 275 

u And, as the thirsty Sea insatiate drains 

" From all the Earth the wandering river-floods, 

" Or as the wasting Fire, whose aliment 1030 

" All matter yields, from crackling trunk to trunk 

" Leaps through the countless forest, and the more 

" It burns the hungrier roars for more to bum, — 

" The greedier yet for all that gluts its greed, — 

" So feeds the impious King, and as he feeds I0 35 

" Still calls for food: whate'er he eats but wakes 

" Desire of eating, and the swallowed meal 

" Leaves but a craving void. And in the gulf 

" And whirlpool of his ravenous paunch the store 

" His Fathers gathered sinks, and less and less 1040 

" Is left, though none the less the quenchless flame 

" Of Famine burns within his sateless maw, 

" Till in his belly all his wealth is lost. 

" A Daughter, worthy of a better Sire 

" Alone was left him, and to feed his want 1 045 

" His child he sold : — but to the neighbouring shore, 

" Too proud to own a Lord, the Damsel fled, 

" And spread her hands imploring to the Main. 

" l Thou ' — she cried — ' to whom my maiden-flower 

" ' Was yielded' — (Xeptune's self that flower had cropped — ) 

" ' Let me not serve a Master ! ' — And the God 105 1 

" Heard her, and changed her form. The purchaser 

" Hard following on her flight, upon the strand 

" Found but a seeming fisher, with such gear 

" As suits his toil employed: — and ' Say ! ' he cried, 1055 

" i Wielder of the rod ! so may the waves 

'"Be smooth, — the hook that lurks within thy bait 

" ' The credulous fish perceive not, till it strike 



276 STORY OF ERESICTHON. ' [Book VIII. 

" ' Fast in his gills, — where did she pass, the Maid 

" ' Whom, meanly clad and with dishevelled locks 1060 

" ; Standing but now upon the beach I saw, — 

" (' For sure these eyes deceived me not, — ) which way 

" ' Hence did she slip 1 — for here I lose her track.' 

" But grateful for the God's effectual help 

" And joyous of herself to hear herself 1065 

" Demanded, boldly to her questioner 

" She answered: — ' Pardon me, whoe'er thou art. 

" ' Fixed ever on the waters and the toil 

" ' I ply, nor right nor left my glance hath strayed : — 

" ' And, lest thou doubt me, so may Ocean's Lord 1070 

" ' Prosper my humble labours, as these eyes 

" ' For many an hour since morn upon this strand 

" ' Nor man nor woman save myself have seen ! ' 

" The cheated buyer took her tale for truth, 

" And turned, and homeward plodded o'er the sands : 1075 

" And straight once more a Maid she stood. But soon 

" As that capacity of change her Sire 

" Knew in his Daughter's form, to many a Lord 

" He sold her; and the fraudulent bargain, still 

" To mare transformed, to bird, to ox, to deer, 1080 

" Her baffled owner fled, and with that gain 

" Unrighteous fed her starving Father's need. 

" But at the last, all substance spent, all means 

" Exhausted, and the fell disease by all 

" That should have cured it aggravated more, — 1085 

" Eavenous upon himself, for sustenance, 

" The Wretch's hunger fastened, and with waste 

" Of his own body strove its waste to stay, 

" Gnawing his proper limbs ! But wherefore dwell 



Book VIII. ] STORY OF ERESICTHON. 277 

" On foreign proofs 1 — I, Princes, I myself 1090 

" Have privilege, though limited, to change 

" The shape I bear : — sometimes as now your eyes 

" Behold me, sometimes in a Serpent's coils 

" I twine, or, as the Leader of the herd, 

" In a Bull's horn embody all my strength, — i°95 

" Horns, — while I could : — but, as yourselves may see, 

" One maimed temple lacks its weapon now! " 

He said, and ceased, — and, as he ceased, he groaned. 



THE 

METAMORPHOSES 

OF 

PUBLIUS OVIDIUS NASO 



BOOK IX. 



THE METAMORPHOSES. 



BOOK IX. 

I. But why that groan, and whence that maimed brow, 
Neptunus' Grandson asks. The Kiver-God 
Shook sad the rushen garland of his locks 
And answered — " 'Tis no pleasant tale thy words 
" Provoke ; — the vanquished little love to tell 5 

" Of fields they won not : — though, with foe like mine, 
" The contest's honour overpays its loss, 
" And such a Victor robs defeat of shame. 

" Haply not stranger to thine ears the name 
" Of Deianira, fairest maid, whose love 10 

" Ere while a thousand rival suitors sought. 
" Myself was one; — and frankly to her Sire 
" Within his halls I spoke — ' Parthaon's Son, 
" ' Take me for Son-in-law ! ' Like suit with mine 
" Alcides urged, and to us twain the rest 1 5 

" Their weaker claim resigned. He proffered Jove 
" Himself for Sire-in law, — and all the toils 
" O'ermastered that his stepdame's hate had set 
" Told in his proper praise. But I, a God, 



282 ACHELOUS AND HERCULES. [Book IX. 

" Too proud to yield to mortal — for not yet 20 

" He too was God — out-spake : — ' Thou seest, in me, 

" ' The Monarch of the flood whose course oblique 

" ' Washes thy shores: — no stranger I, from lands 

" ' Or distant or unknown, — of thine own folk 

" ' An honoured son, — of thine own realm a part. 25 

" l Let it not count against me that the Queen 

" ' Of Heaven not hates me, and no catalogue 

" ' Of toils I reckon by her vengeance set. 

" ' And thou, Alcmena's Son! — for in that name 

" ' Methinks thou gloriest, — Jove was ne'er thy Sire. 30 

" ' Or but in guilt begot thee, and thy boast 

" ' So to be born avows thy Mother's shame! 

" ' Choose 'twixt the twain — which wilt thou? — or thy birth 

" ' Was base, or all this tale of Jove a lie ! ' 

" Stern, as I spoke, he eyed me, nor the wrath 35 

" That shook him cared to quell: — ' My hand' — he said — 

" ' Is readier than my tongue: — the victory 

" * Of words I grant thee — that of deeds be mine!' 

" And fierce he rushed upon me. Shame it was, 

" With those brave words fresh on my lips, to yield : — 40 

" My mantle green I doffed, and, with bent arms 

" Before my breast on guard, and every nerve 

" Strung for the contest, faced him. But, ere yet 

" We grappled, either — he with gathered dust 

" And I with yellow sand — his rival strewed. 45 

" Then at my neck, my slippery legs, each limb 

" Eager in turn he sprang, and grasped, or seemed 

" To grasp, for still I warded off his gripe, 

" And, by my bulk defended, baffled him. 

" Like some huge rock, against whose steadfast mass so 



Book IX.] ACHELOUS AND HERCULES. 283 

" The roaring flood of Ocean breaks, I stood 

" Immovable. Awhile we paused for breath 

" And then again we closed: — no thought to yield 

" In either now : — and foot to foot, and breast 

" To breast, and hand to hand, and brow to brow 5 5 

" Opposed, we grappled. So two mighty bulls — 

" Their prize the fairest heifer of the field — 

" Contend, and all the trembling herd looks on, 

" Nor knows which victor in the doubtful strife 

" Tate destines for its Lord. And thrice in vain 60 

" My fronting breast he laboured from his own 

" To hurl : — but with one effort more he loosed 

" My locking arms, and — for I nothing hide, — 

" Eound swung me from him, and with all his weight 

" Hung on my back. Believe me, — for I scorn 65 

" To salve my honour with a varnished tale, — 

" Seemed it as some vast mountain pressed me down ! 

" And, hardly as my sweating arms I freed 

" A moment from his gripe, and panting stood, 

" Ere yet fresh force I gathered, by the neck 70 

" Throttling he seized me, and at last to Earth 

" My knee was bent, and prone I bit the dust ! 

" O'erniastered so in strength, my arts I tried, 

" And from his hold, — to serpent-shape transformed, 

" Wriggling with many a sinuous fold, and fierce 75 

" With threatening hiss of forky tongue, — I slipped. 

" But mocking at the idle wile he laughed ! 

" ' To strangle serpents was my cradle's task 

" ' Acheloiis ! Pass, as well thou may'st, 

" ' Thy brother-dragons,- -yet, one puny snake, 80 

" ' What art thou, matched with huge Echidna's bulk, 



284 ACHELOUS AND HERCULES. [Book IX. 

" ' That pest of Lerna, from her very wounds 

" ' Prolific, of whose hundred heads not one 

" * Was lopped but straight a pair more terrible 

" e Sprang up to heir its place 1 — Yet her, more strong 

" ' From every stroke, from every bloody wound 86 

'* l Branching with added vipers, overcome 

"'I slew! — And hop'st thou, in this borrowed guise, 

" ' This lying serpent-mask, with arms not thine 

" ' To brave me 1 ' — As he spoke, behind my head 90 

" I felt his iron gripe : — as in a vice 

" Compressed I writhed! One chance was left — to try 

" The Bull, — and quick to savage bull transformed 

" Once more I dared the strife. But by the neck, 

" Where on the left the muscles gave him hold, 95 

" He grasped me — pressed upon me — thrust me down 

" Before him, and with giant force my horns 

" Strained to the Earth, and rolled me in the dust ! 

" Nor so content to triumph, from my brow, 

" Maimed as ye see it, with his fell right hand 100 

" One horn he tore. My Naiads stole the prize, 

" And bade it, consecrate with fruit and flowers, 

" For Plenty's ensign serve." — So ceased his tale; 

And, as he paused, a Biver-Nymph, with vest 

Like Dian's girt, her locks on either side 105 

Loose o'er her shoulders floating, brought the horn, 

Its wealthy hollow with all Autumn filled, 

And every fruit that fitliest ends the feast. 

So, when the mountain-tops were tinged with morn, 
The Heroes went their way, nor bore to wait 110 

Till the spent flood relapsing into peace 
Besumed its gentler course. The Biver-God 



Book IX.] DEATH OF NESSUS. 285 

His rustic head and mutilated brows 

Hid in Ms waves, by that disfigurement 

Sore-vexed, but little harmed; and skilled to hide 115 

With reeds or willow-wreath his forehead's loss. 

II. Thou too, ungentle Nessus, passion-fired 
For that same Maid, the fatal shaft through back 
And breast transfixed had'st felt. His new-won bride 
Bearing in triumph homeward, to the banks 120 

Of swift Evenus came the son of Jove, 
When, higher than his wont, with winter-storm 
Impervious, in fierce torrent rolled the flood. 
Him, fearless for himself, but for his wife 
Alarmed, the Centaur, strong of limb, and versed 125 

In every ford and shallow of the stream, 
Accosted : — " Let me bear the Maiden o'er, 
" As well I can, to yonder bank : — thyself 
" Art strong enough to swim." And, deadly pale 
With terror of the turbulent flood, and scared 130 

At that rough ferryman, the Hero gave 
To his strong arms the flower of Calydon; 
And, flinging o'er the stream his club and bow, 
With but his quiver and his Lion's hide 
For burden, — " So! for one more toil!" he cried, — 135 
" A Eiver crowns my labours ! " And he plunged, 
Careless where less impetuous rolled the flood 
To seek his course, and scornful to employ 
The current's aid. But, on the further shore 
Arrived, and stooping for the bow he flung, 140 

His consort's shriek well-recognised betrayed 
Her bearer's purposed treachery : — with his prize 



286 DEATH OF HERCULES. [Book IX. 

The Centaur fled. " What ! " terrible he cried— 

" Think'st thou with that vain speed of foot, thou thief 

" Of double form, to rob me of mine own 1 145 

li Hear'st thou not, JSTessus! who it is that bids 

" Eelease her ! If nor faith nor fear of me 

" Check thee, at least thy Father's whirling wheel 

" From lawless lust might warn thee ! Think not thou 

" With all the speed of all thy hoofs to 'scape! 150 

" My wounds are swifter than my feet ! " — The act 

Followed the word, and through his flying back 

Impelled before his breast the barb out-stood ! 

And, as he plucked it thence, from either wound 

Mingled with Lerna's venom gushed the blood, 155 

And steeped his mantle's fold. " Not unavenged," 

He muttered, " will I perish ! " and to her 

He would have ravished gave the robe, yet warm 

With poisoned gore, and bade her with that gift 

At need assure her husband's wavering love. 160 

III. Long time had sped : — the deeds of Hercules, 
And Juno's hate, with wonder filled the world. 
Triumphant from (Echalia last, his vows 
Before the altar of Censean Jove 

The hero knelt to pay: — when to the ears 165 

Of Deianira Eame, who loves with lies 
To garble truth, and, puny-born, augments 
Her swelling bulk with every lie she tells, — 
The story brought how captive Iole 

Her captor held enthralled. The loving wife 170 

Believed the tale, and, maddened at the thought 
Of that new rival, broke in passionate grief 



Book IX.] DEATH OF HERCULES. 287 

Weeping her hapless lot : — but soon she dried 

Her eyes, and " Wherefore tears ? " — she said — " when tears 

" That harlot's heart will gladden? — So! she comes! 175 

" But something yet, ere from my husband's bed 

" She thrust me, may be done ! What counsel best, 

" While yet is time, may serve me ? — to complain 

" Or hold my peace ? — to fly to Calydon 

" Or wait and watch? — to quit this hateful house 180 

" Or stay, and bar its gates against my shame, 

" If nothing more ? — What if a bolder course 

" I take, as Meleager's Sister should, 

" And show how grief and wrong a woman's hand 

" May nerve, and stab the adult'ress to the heart 1 " 185 

So through a thousand schemes distraught she ran, 

And at the last bethought her of that robe 

Erst steeped in Nessus' gore, that with its spell 

Might wake and win again the truant love. 

That seemed it best to send. — To Lichas' hand, 190 

Unknowing what he bore, — unknowing she 

What woe she sent, — the fatal charge she gave, 

And bade him with all loving message bear 

To her good Lord her present : — and her Lord 

Unknowing in that mantle, venomous 195 

With all Echidna's poison, clad himself. 

So at the marble altar as^with rite 
Of prayer, of censer, and of bowl, he stood, 
That mischief's force within him warmed, and fused 
Through all his limbs the melting venom ran. 200 

Long as he could, with wonted fortitude 
Silent he bore the torment ; but, as pain 
Overmastered patience, from the shrine he fled, 



288 DEATH OF HERCULES. [Book IX. 

And Med all leafy (Eta with his groans, 

Striving to rend away the deadly robe 205 

That with it rent the skin, and horribly 

Or to his limbs inseparable glued 

Eefused to part, or, as it parted, bare 

From the big bones the quivering muscle tore ! 

And in that poisonous heat his very blood, 210 

Like white-hot steel in cooling water plunged, 

Seethed hissing in his veins ; — the greedy fire 

Devoured his inmost vitals ; — audible snapped 

The crackling sinews ; — and from every limb 

The lurking venom broke in livid sweat, 215 

And sucked the melting marrow from his bones ! 

To Heaven he spread his hands, and " Look thou down," 
He cried, " from yonder height, Saturnia ! feed 
" And feast upon my tortures ! With this sight 
" Of woe, too cruel! glut thy ruthless heart! 220 

" Or, if a foe can pity — for thy foe 
" I own me — be thou pitiful, and take 
" This too-tormented life, but to thy hate 
" Ordained and toil unending from its birth. 
" Death were a boon, and such a boon to boot 225 

" As suits a stepdame's giving ! — But for this 
" On his red altars foul with stranger-blood 
" Busiris did I slay 1 for this upheave 
" From strengthening contact with his parent-Earth 
" Antaeus' bulk 1 — for this the triple might 230 

" Undaunted of Iberian Geryon dare, 
" And drag to light thrice-howling Cerberus 1 — 
" What ! my strong hands ! did ye that monster Bull 
" Hale by the horns subdued 1 Was't ye whose deeds 



Book IX.] DEATH OF HERCULES. 289 

" In Elis yet are honoured, by thy waves 235 

" Stymphalus, and in all Parthenia's groves ? 

" Your valour 'twas that from the Amazon 

" Won the wrought girdle of Thermodon's gold, — 

" That from the sleepless Dragon's baffled guard 

" Hesperia's fruitage reft, — your master-force 240 

" The Centaurs owned, the Boar whose ravage spoiled 

" Arcadia's fields, and Hydra still by loss 

" The gainer, doubly strong from every wound ! 

" What ! was it I who, with their barbarous lord, 

" Those Thracian coursers, fat with human blood, 245 

" Slew, at the rack with mangled corses heaped 1 

" Who quelled Nemsea's Lion's monstrous strength 1 

" And Heaven itself upon these shoulders bore, 

" Unwearied toiling, till the vengeful Spouse 

" Of Jove was weary to invent new toils, 250 

" But by this plague to perish, whose blind force 

" Nor sword nor spear nor valour countervails 1 — 

" Alas ! within my very heart the fire 

" Devouring plays, and feeds on all my limbs ! 

" And all this while Eurystheus lives and thrives, — 255 

" And fools are found who yet believe in Gods ! " — 

So all the slopes of (Eta, with his pangs 

Distraught, the Hero traversed : — Eaging so 

The tiger, with the arrow in his flank, 

The forest ranges, mad to see the foe 260 

That dealt his wound escape. Now with low moan 

Of pain, with roar of terrible anguish now, 

Now tagging, tearing, at that cursed vest, 

Now from their roots the trees he rent, now fierce 

Raved at the guiltless mountains, now subdued 265 

T 



29O DEATH OF HERCULES. [Book IX. 

Spread to his Father's Heaven appealing hands. 

And now, — to madness wrought by agony, — 

Trembling and crouched beneath a jutting rock 

Lichas he spied:— "Hah! Thou!" he yelled— " thy hand 

" It was that bore this deadly gift! to thee 270 

" I owe this torture ! " — And, with terror pale, 

And stammering vain excuse, and to his knees 

Striving to cling, he seized the boy, and thrice 

And once like stone in sling he swung him round, 

And whirled him far amid the Euboean waves! 275 

But, as he flew, he hardened : — and, — as high 

In Heaven the rain-shower in the northern blast 

Whitens to snow, and in the eddying air 

The rounded flake new substance takes and falls 

In solid globe compact of icy hail, — 280 

So from those arms tossed headlong through the void, 

Bloodless with terror, every vita! juice 

Dried from his limbs, the tale of earlier times 

Asserts him changed to rock. — The Mariner 

Knows well a crag that rears above the gulf 285 

Some semblance rude of human form, believed 

Yet sensible of hurt, and spares to tread 

What once was man, and calls it Lichas still. 

IV. But Jove's world-famous son endures no more 
Those lingering pangs, — and with the gathered trunks 290 
Of rifled (Eta builds a mighty pile 
And bids the son of Pseas bring the bow, 
The quiver, and the arrows, — destined yet 
Once more to gleam before beleaguered Troy, — 
And, for last service, light the pyre, and, while 295 



Book IX.] DEATH OF HERCULES. 291 

The roaring flames climb greedy round the base, 

Above for couch Nemsea's lion-hide 

He spreads, and calmly, pillowed on his club, 

Down lays him, with such countenance as wears 

At festal board some careless banqueter, 300 

'Mid flowing cups reclined, and crowned with flowers. 

But now, as high from all the crackling pile 

Upshot the flames, and furious licked the limbs 

That mocked their fury, terror seized the Gods 

For Earth's great champion's peril. Saturn's son 305 

Well-pleased beheld the fear, — and cheering spake. 

" I thank ye, Deities ! your anxious hearts 

" Make glad mine own! your Sovereign and your Sire 

" Exults to feel he rules no thankless race, 

" And know your loyal love would save his son ! 310 

" For him — his deeds were plea enough ; but ye 

" Bind thus myself your debtor. Cease your fears 

" Good hearts and true ! All (Eta's flames are vain ! 

" Who conquered all things else shall conquer them ! 

" The earthlier part his mortal mother gave 315 

" May yield to Vulcan's power, — but what he owes 

" To me, immortal, indestructible, 

" Defies his force. That — purified from Earth — 

" I destine to the Skies, nor doubt to find 

" All Heaven applaud the purpose. But if one 320 

" There be who grudges to my son the gift 

" Of Deity, — why let him grudge, but know 

" The boon well-merited, and in his soul 

" Unwilling own it just ! " Unanimous 

The Gods approved; and, but for those last words, 325 

Whose lurking censure vexed her conscious soul, 



292 THE STORY OF GALANTHIS. [Book IX. 

Even Juno's self had heard without a frown. 

While yet He spoke, whatever fire could "burn 

Had Mulciber consumed ; — of Hercules 

jNo trace was left ; — all mother-essence lost, 330 

Absorbed, — what yet remained was only Jove's. 

And as some serpent casts his wrinkled skin 

Eejuvenate, and with new-burnished scales 

Delighted basks, so, of those mortal limbs 

Untrammelled, all the Hero's nobler part 335 

In nobler shape and loftier stature rose 

Renewed, august, majestic, like a God! 

Whom, with those four immortal steeds that whirl 

His chariot-wheels, the Sire omnipotent 

Upbore sublime above the hollow clouds, 340 

And set amid the radiant stars of Heaven. 

Y. Beneath the added burden Atlas groaned. 
But none the less from sire to son transferred 
Eurystheus' hate burned rancorous. Iole 
Remains to soothe Alcmena's care-worn age: — 345 

To Iole the griefs of querulous eld 
She pours, and all the chances of her life, 
And all her son's world-famous toils recounts. 
Bound by his sire's behest, nor less by love, 
Hyllus the maid had wedded. To whom thus 350 

Alcmena, — "Daughter, may the favouring Gods 
" Make brief thy throes, when comes to thee the hour 
" That fearful mothers dread, and to thy cries 
" May Hythia turn a kindlier ear 

" Than gracious Juno let her lend to mine. 355 

" Eor me, when erst, in that last month of ten, 



Book IX.] THE STORY OF GALANTHIS. 293 

" My glorious Hercules was ripe for birth, 

" My burden's very weight and magnitude 

" Bespake the Parent-God. So terrible 

" The pangs I bore, that yet to speak of them 360 

" I shudder, and remembrance' self is pain. 

" Seven days and nights of agony, outworn 

" With torment, to the Heavens my hands I spread 

" And with loud cries on the twin Mxi called 

" And on Lucina, — and Lucina came, 365 

" But not to help, — fore-won and bribed to glut 

" Even with my death relentless Juno's hate. 

" There sat she, pitiless of all my moan, 

" Where yonder altar flanks the Palace-gate, 

" Cross-kneed, with clenching fingers intertwined, 370 

" And hindered me, and with low-murmured chant 

" Of spells malignant barred my boy from life. 

"So struggling, and with many a vain reproach 

" Heaped on ungrateful Jove, I lay, and longed 

" To die, and made such plaint as might have moved 375 

" The flinty rocks to pity. By my couch 

"The Theban matrons stood with aiding prayers 

"And vows, and strove to cheer me in my pains. 

" A maid there was about me, flaxen-haired, 

" Galanthis called, an honest burgher's child, 380 

" Quick at all hests and for that quickness loved. 

" First to suspect that whatsoe'er it was 

" That thwarted me was jealous Juno's work, 

" She, as she went and came, before the gate, 

" Observed the Goddess by the altar crouched, 385 

" With tremulous hands clenched o'er her crossing knees, 

" And ' Whosoe'er thou art,' she cried, ' Rejoice ! 



294 THE STORY OF DRYOPE. [Book IX. 

" ' The Gods have eased Alcmena of her pains, 

" ' And made her Mother of a gallant hoy ! ' 

" Upsprang the Goddess terrified, and wide 390 

" Flung her unknitted hands : — the binding spell 

" Was loosed, and I was lighter of my son. 

VI. " Loud laughed Galanthis at the lucky cheat : — 
" But, 'mid her laughing, by those yellow locks 
" The wrathful Goddess seized and flung her down ; 395 
" And, as to rise she struggled, dwarfed in size 
" She shrank, with arching back, her dwindled arms 
" To fore-legs changed. Quick is she still as erst, 
" And on her back the hair is yellow yet ; 
" But bestial, reft of all her human shape : — 400 

" And as her mouth it was whose happy lie 
" My labour lightened, by the mouth her young 
" She bears, and still she haunts the house she served." 

YII. She said, and of her ancient servitress 
Sad thinking sighed. But, pensive as she ceased, 405 

Spake Iole — " Mother, if the change 
" So move thee of a stranger to thy blood, 
" "What if I tell, — though never without tears 
" My faltering tongue attempts the broken tale, — 
" My sister's wondrous fate 1 — No other child 410 

" Her Mother had save Dryope — (myself 
'■ Was from a second bed) — the fairest far 
" Confessed of all GEchalia's maids. The God 
" Of Delphos and of Delos first had reft 
" By force her virgin-flower ; but for his wife 415 

" Andnernon after took the outraged maid, 



Book IX.] THE STORY OF DRYOPE. 295 

" And all men held him happy in his choice. 

" A Lake there is, from whose low marge the hanks 
" Slope upward to a ridge with myrtles crowned. 
" There, ignorant of the Fates, came Dryope 420 

" With gifts — whose guerdon shame it is to tell — 
" Of garlands for the Nymphs ; and at her breast 
" Her babe, scarce yet a twelvemonth old, she bore, 
" The pleasing burden suckling as she went. 
"Just ere the lake a purple lotos-bed 425 

" With plenteous promise bloomed of berried fruit : — 
" And Dryope, to please her infant, culled 
" A flower, and I, who held her company, 
" The like had done, — but from the severed stalk 
" Oozed crimson drops of blood, and all the leaves 430 

" With tremulous horror rustled. And, too late, 
" The rustics told how Naiad Lotis, erst 
" From lewd Priapus flying, to that flower 
" Transformed her nature changed but kept her name. 

VIII. " Could Dryope have known it 1 — Terrified, 435 
" With hasty homage to the Nymphs, she turned 
" To fly : — her feet clung rooted to the ground, 
" And, struggle as she might, her upper part 
" Was all she moved. The hardening bark below 
" Closed round her, spreading, growing, till her form 440 
" To half its height was veiled. And as she felt 
" Her fate, and strove to rend her hair, her hands 
" With leaves were filled — her locks were only leaves ! 
"Her boy, Amphisus, — (so his grandsire's will 
" Had named him,) — hardening felt the breast he sought, 
" And the sweet fount of Nature's nurture dried. 446 



296 THE STORY OF DRYOPE. [Book IX. 

" And I, spectatress of that cruel fate, 

" Was impotent to help ! With vain embrace 

" And clasp, 'twas all I could, I strove to stay 

" The barky branching growth, or bade the Gods 450 

" Unite me with her in that living tomb. 

"Fast hurry there her spouse, her wretched Sire, 

" And ask for Dry ope : — for Dry ope 

" I shew a Lotos ! And the wood, yet warm, 

" They kiss, and cling around the kindred trunk. 455 

" Alas! my Sister! naught was left thee now, 

" Save face, that was not tree ! But welling yet 

" Thy tears bedewed the leaves that late were limbs, 

" And, while thy voice had way, thy piteous wail 

" Eang through the air — ' Oh ! if the wretched yet 460 

" ' May challenge credence, not deserved this wrong 

" ' I bear — no guilt of mine this doom hath earned! 

" ' My life was blameless ! If I speak not truth 

" ' Be blasted all these leaves I bear, and axe 

" ' And fire consume me ! From these branching arms 465 

" ' Take, take my babe ! Let some kind nurse's breast 

" ' Eeceive him : — bring him hither, — in my shade 

" ' Still let him sport, — beneath these boughs imbibe 

" ' His infant nurture, — and, when first his tongue 

" ' Can frame the words, bid him in me salute 470 

" * His parent, — teach his little lips to say, 

" * Alas ! my Mother in this trunk lies hid ! 

" ' But warn him shun the lakes, and dread to pluck 

" ' The flowers, and fear a Goddess in each bud. 

" 'And thou, my Husband dear, and thou, my Sire, 475 

" ' Farewell ! and thou, my Sister ! — But if yet 

" 'Ye love me, guard from edge of biting axe, 



Book IX.] THE PROFHECY OF THEMIS. 297 

' ' Or tooth of gnawing flocks, these leaves of mine ! 

' ' And, for I cannot bend my face to yours, 

' ' Raise yours to mine, and kiss me ! give my lips 480 

' ' To press my babe's, while lips are mine to press ! 

' ' Ah ! hardly can I speak ! I feel the bark 

' ' Round my white throat close choking ! o'er my head 

' ' It rises ! Take away your hands ! the rind 

' ' Their pious office spares ye, and seals up 485 

' ' My dying eyes ! ' — Then ceased her lips at once 

' To speak, and be : — but long the new-born boughs 

' Retained the warmth of that transmuted form." 

IX. So of her Sister's piteous fate the tale 

Told Iole, and from her eyes the tears, 490 

Weeping herself, Alcmena dried : — when lo ! 

A sudden sight of marvel stayed their grief. 

Upon the threshold Iolaus stood, 

Once more almost a boy : — upon his chin 

The down was new; and, as in years long gone, 495 

Glowed in his cheeks the hue of youth restored. 

X. Such boon, conceded to her husband's prayers, 
Had Hebe given : — but, ere her lips could frame 
Their purposed oath to grant such boon no more, 

Great Themis interposed. "Even now" — she said — 500 

" "Wild war round Thebes is raging : — Capaneus 

" Demands no meaner Victor than Jove's self ! 

" In fratricidal strife the Brothers fall ! 

" The Seer yet living through the yawning Earth 

" Sinks to the Shades! Parent for parent slain 505 

" Makes pious vengeance impious in his Son ! 



298 THE DEBATE OF THE GODS. [Book IX. 

" Maddened, an exile both from sense and home, 

" He wanders, hunted by the haggard troop 

" Of Furies and his Mother's haunting ghost, 

" Till to his consort's prayers the fatal boon 510 

" Of that gold necklet promised to the swords 

" Of Phegeus' sons betray their kinsman's life. 

" Then Acheloiis' child, Callirrhoe, 

" A suppliant for her sons to highest Jove 

" Shall kneel, and Jove, by her entreaties won, 515 

" Demand this service at his step-child's hands, 

" And ere due season make her infants men! " 

XL So, knowing what should come, with prophet-rede 
Spake Themis, and among the listening Gods 
Woke various murmur: — " Wherefore should not all 520 
" Such boon alike have privilege to grant ? " — 
Aurora mourns Tithonus' helpless age : — 
Mild Ceres pleads Iasion's whitened brows : — 
For Ericthonius Mulciber demands 

A second life: — and Yenus, provident 525 

To friend the future fortunes of her race, 
For old Anchises claims a youth renewed. 
No God but for some favourite had his suit, 
And suit to clamour swelled. But stern the voice 
Of Sovereign Jove out-spake — " What madness this 530 
" That stirs ye 1 Whither hath all reverence fled? — 
" Dares one among ye hope to turn the Fates? — 
" The Fates — not I — to Iolaus gave 
" His doubled life: — The Fates, unmoved by prayer 
" Or force, make men Callirrhoe's infant sons! 535 

" You and — (so better learn ye to submit! — ) 



Book IX.] THE STORY OF BYBLIS. 299 

" Me too the Fates constrain. Could I control 

" Their will, — would iEacus be bowed with age? — 

" "Would Ehadamanthus lack perpetual flower 

" Of youth? — or he, my Minos, who, despised 540 

" For bitter burden of enfeebling years, 

" Less firmly holds a factious realm in awe?" 

The Gods were hushed : — "What right had any there 
To murmur, if not Jove from weary age 
Could rescue Ehadamanthus, iEacus, 545 

And Minos ? — Minos, who in manhood's prime 
Shook all the world with terror of his name, 
But feeble now, and for his throne alarmed 
Lest proud Miletus, insolent with youth 
And birth from Phoebus, let rebellion loose 550 

And challenge it; nor strong enough to dare 
The dreaded traitor banish. Self-exiled 
Miletus, fled'st thou, o'er the iEgean wave 
To Asia borne by rapid sails, to build 
The stately City by thy name renowned. 555 

In that new realm it was, thine eyes beheld, — 
"Wandering beside Mseander's banks, whose wave 
"With refluent winding seeks its parent fount, — 
Cyanee, fairest daughter of the stream, 
And loved her: — and, to thy embraces won, 560 

Caunus and Byblis were the twins she bore. 

Byblis — to Maidens of unlawful love 
Sad warning ! Byblis by a brother's charms 
Alas ! to more than Sister's fondness fired ! 
Yet at the first unconscious of her flame, 565 

Nor thinking harm to clasp a Brother's neck 
Or press with kiss on kiss a Brother's lips 



300 THE STORY OF BYBLIS. [Book IX. 

"Where treacherous Nature sanctioned the caress. 

So Love indulged swerves gradual into Lust. 

Goes she to meet him'? — With all grace of art 570 

Her charms are decked, — she cannot seem too fair : — 

And, if there be a fairer than herself, 

That fairer maid she hates. Nor yet her aim 

Even to herself is manifest : — the fire 

Glows hot within, hut yet she breathes no vow. 575 

" Caunus " — she calls him, — never " Brother " says : — 

"Would he would " Byblis," and not " Sister," say ! 

Nor dares she to herself the unhallowed wish 

Own in her waking hours : — but in her dreams 

She sees the form she covets; breast to breast 580 

She clasps him close, and blushes in her sleep : — 

Then wakes, and silent long recalls the bliss 

Of slumber, till her spirit's trouble shapes 

Itself to words : — " Ah ! wretched me ! What mean 

a These dreams which yet I dare not wish fulfilled? 585 

" Why must such visions haunt me % Fair he is ! 

" That even his foes must own — and lovable, — 

" Whom, were he not my Brother, I myself 

" Might love unblamed, well worthy of my love. 

" But this curst tie forbids ! — Ah ! if the Day 590 

" Denies the hope that waking dares not own, 

" Come Night again and bring me back my dreams ! 

" Dreams that no spy can witness! dreams of Heaven! 

" Soft Queen of Love, and Thou, her winged Son ! 

" What visionary transport! Soul and sense 595 

" What rapture thrilled ! The very memory 

" Is ecstasy ! Though all too brief the joy 

" And hurrying Night sped envious of my bliss ! 






Book IX.] THE STORY OF BYBLIS. 301 

" Could we but change our names, and so be wed, 

" How gladly, Caunus, could I call thy sire 600 

" My Sire-in-law ! how gladly mine might hail 

" A Son-in-law in thee ! I would to Heaven 

" All things were common to us save our blood, 

" And I a peasant's child, and thou a King's ! 

" Ah me ! the children of some happy wife 605 

" Shall call thee Father, while to me, whom Fate 

" Hath linked with thee in common parentage, 

" Thou canst be naught but Brother ! We can have 

" But the one tie that parts us ! — What then mean 

" These dreams of mine 1 Why, what mean any dreams 1 

" And yet, can dreams have meaning? Gods forgive 6ti 

" The thought ! — And yet the Gods their Sisters loved : — 

" In spite of blood Saturn with Ops was wed, — 

" Oceanus with Tethys, — Jove's geat self 

" With Juno. Ah! but Gods have other laws 615 

" Than we, and mortals may not dare affect 

" The higher broader privilege of Heaven. 

" Away then "with this passion from my breast! 

" Or, if I fail to quell it, let me die, 

" And Caunus weeping bend above my bier, 620 

" And on my cold corse print a guiltless kiss! — 

" What if I let it burn ? Ah ! Love demands 

" Consenting hearts ! I love him, but my love 

" To him will seem pollution ! — Yet of old 

" The iEolidse not shunned a Sister's bed. 625 

" How know I this 1— Why cite it 1— Whither thus 

" Does passion whirl me ? — Down ! unholy flames ! 

" And let me love but as a Sister should ! 

" And yet, if Caunus had but loved me first, 



302 THE STORY OF BYBLIS. [Book IX. 

" Could lie have asked me aught I would not grant 1 — 630 

" Must I then seek what, had nryself been sought 

" I sure had given the seeker? Dare I speak? — 

" Dare I avow me 1 — Love is strong ! I dare ! 

< ( Or, if shame lock my lips, my pen can paint 

" The hidden tire that preys upon my soul!" 635 

That plan seems best to her distracted mind : 
And half she rises on her couch to write. 
" Yes ! come what will, he learns it ! thus I own 
" This frantic passion ! Yet in what a gulf 
" Alas ! I plunge ! What madness fires my soul ! " 640 
Then, trembling all, she sets herself to frame 
The meditated words : — her right hand holds 
The style, her left the tablet's virgin-page : — 
Begins, then hesitates ; — begins anew ; — 
Effaces what she wrote, and writes, and blots 645 

And writes again, and alters ; — all too warm 
Is this, and that too frigid : — now she flings 
The tablets from her, — now resumes the task : — 
What she would say, she cannot; what she says 
Seems still amiss : and, at each word she writes, 650 

Boldness with shame holds conflict on her cheeks. 
" Caunus, thy Sister " — No ! that word must out ! 
The very wax refuses it ! — " the Maid 
" Who loves thee, Caunus, all that bliss for thee 
" Invokes, which, if thou grant her not her hopes, 655 

" Herself can never know. Alas ! she shames 
" To write the name she bears : — and, for her suit, 
" Would Heaven that nameless she that suit could plead, 
" Nor Byblis, till she won it, stand confessed ! 
" Yet ah ! methinks this passion-wasted cheek 660 



Book IX.] THE STORY OF BYBLIS. 303 

" Paling and flushing, these too eloquent eyes 

" Brinnning with frequent tears, the sigh that lacked 

" Apparent cause, the oft-repeated clasp 

" Of these fond arms, might well ere this have told 

" The secret of my heart ! Thou might'st have felt 665 

" A something more than Sister in my kiss ! 

" Yet, deep as rankled in my soul the wound, 

" Fierce as the fire within me burned, the Gods 

" Be witness to me, how I combated 

" This madness, how I strove to wrench this dart 670 

" Of Cupid from my bosom ! how endured 

" Such struggle as thou scarce could'st deem a Maid 

" Were capable to bear ! — 'Tis lost, and I 

" Confess me vanquished ! At thy feet I lay 

" My trembling suit ! To thee alone for life 675 

" Or death she looks who loves thee : — give her then 

" Which doom thou wilt! — No enemy it is 

" Who sues thee — close as is the link that joins 

" Us twain, her wish would make it closer yet, 

" And with Love's tie bind stronger that of blood! 680 

" Leave laws to gray-beards ! Such may gloze and fix 

" What these deny or warrant : — for the young 

" Like us more liberal Venus legislates ! 

" Ask we not what is sanctioned — rather think 

" Nothing unsanctioned, following the great Gods 685 

" Whose loves have set us pattern for our own. 

" No father's frown — no dread of slanderous tongues — 

" No fear need check us : — What have we to fear 

" Whose Kindred's self secures our furtive joys % 

" Alone, unblamed, together may we talk, — 690 

" Unblamed in all men's sight embrace and kiss, — 



304 THE STORY OF BYELIS. [Book IX. 

" How little lacks our bliss to be complete! 

" Ah ! pity thou the love I own, nor yet 

" Had owned, but that the fire within my soul 

; ' Outflanies disguise, — nor bear to see thy name 695 

" Writ on my tomb, my death's too cruel cause!" 

So with her fruitless prayers the waxen page 

Was lettered to its marge. Her tears supplied 

The moisture that her fevered tongue refused, 

For temper of the guilty missive's seal, 700 

Stamped with her signet. Then she called a Page 

And, blushing, with such gracious tones as make 

Co mm and seem favour, to the bashful boy 

His errand gave. " This to "■ — and there she paused, 

And then at length — " This to my Brother bear ! 705 

" Fail not as well I trust thee !" And, as forth 

She held the tablets, from her hands they dropped ! 

The omen scared her, but she sent them still : 

And, in due time and place, to Caunus' hand 

The unwitting Envoy gave his secret charge. 710 

Not all — too much — he read : — fierce from his eye 
Flashed angry lightning, — furious down he dashed 
The tablets, — scarce his lifted hand refrained 
To smite the bearer dead. " Begone!" — he cried — 
" While yet thou may'st, foul Pandar to a lust 715 

" Accurst, who here, did not thy death involve 
" The honour of my house, with thy vile life 
" Should'st pay thine errand : — hence !" — The trembling boy 
Back with those terrible words to Byblis fled. 
Tliat was her answer ! Marble-pale she heard, — 720 

Her very heart was frozen • — stupefied 
She stood : — yet still, as gradual sense returned 



Book IX.] THE STORY OF BYBLIS. 305 

Eeturned unconquered passion, and in words 
Scarce audible she murmured—" Ay ! 'tis just ! 
" I might have looked for this ! TThat madness was't 725 
" That made me thus lay bare my bosom's wound 1 
" TThat folly trusted that too hasty wax 
" With premature avowal? — Better far 
" First had I with ambiguous speech essayed 
" To sound his soul : — More wisely had I watched 730 

" The skies, and marked what quarter waked the breeze 
" Auspicious to my venture, riding so 
" Safe on the open Sea, nor spread my sails 
" Incautious to the untried winds of Heaven. 
" So strike I on the rocks ! All Ocean whelms 735 

" My bark that founders hopeless of return! 
" Could I not read the omen that forbade 
" This fatal passion, when my trembling hands 
" Those tablets dropped ? I might have known my hope 
" "Was doomed to fail ! Why could I not have changed 
" The day"? — the day? Why not the whole design? 74T 
" 'Twas Heaven itself that warned me ! Was I mad 
" To spurn its warning ? — Or why not myself 
" Have spoken ? Why upon that frigid wax 
" Pour out my soul ? Why write ? When face to face 
" He should have heard me plead, have seen my tears, 746 
" And in my burning blushes read my love 1 
" I could have said far more than tablets can ! 
" I could have clung round his unwilling neck, 
" Have grovelled at his feet, have begged, implored 750 
" For very life, and, if he heard me not, 
" Have died there suppliant ! Ay, a thousand things 
" I might have done, whereof if this or that 
u 



306 THE STORY OF BYBLIS. [Book IX. 

" Had failed to move his flinty heart, yet all 

" Together sure had won him to my suit ! — 755 

" Yet haply 'twas my faulty envoy failed 

" To see the fitting time, — broke on an hour 

" Ill-chosen, busied with affairs of state, — 

"And so my cause must suffer! Ay! 'twas this 

" That foils me! Caunus is not tiger-bred, — 760 

" His heart is not of iron or of rock, — 

" No Lioness it was that suckled him, — 

" He must, he shall, be won ! I quit not so 

" The chase ! Unwearied will I follow it, 

" While breath remains to follow. Best it were, 765 

" I grant, — so could I but recall the past, — 

" Ne'er to have roused this quarry, but next best 

" To hunt it to the death. Say, for the nonce 

" He spurns my prayers, yet sure my earnestness, 

" The very daring of my dauntless love, 770 

" Must touch him in the end! — Should I desist, 

" 'Twill seem but some light fancy of the hour, — 

" Perchance some snare devised but to betray, — 

" Or surely, not by that great God, whose fires 

" Have ever burned and still must burn mankind, 775 

" Will he believe me conquered, but by lust ! — 

" And, last, — for me what yet of crime remains 1 

" Have I not written, — not avowed my love, — 

" Not steeped my soul in sin? — If never more 

" I uttered word, my claim to innocence 780 

" Is forfeit from this hour ! Much yet is left 

" To hope, but ah! no greater guilt to fear!" 

So passion warred in her divided mind 
With reason : — what she would she ne'er had tried 



Book IX.] THE STORY OF BYBLIS. 307 

Yet obstinate to try ; and unabashed 785 

Still with fresh suit encountering fresh repulse. 
Till, at the last, from that persistent shame, 
From home, self-exiled, Caunus fled, to build 
On foreign shores the town that bears his name. 

Then from the hapless wretch, forsaken so, 790 

Fled all control of reason : — wild she tore 
Her robe, and frantic beat upon her breast, 
And, manifestly mad, to all men's ears 
Proclaimed her guilty passion ; and, her home 
And all her household Gods, too hateful now, 795 

Deserting, Caunus' flying track pursued, 
Yelling and shrieking, — (so the matrons say 
Of Bubasus, who heard her,) — as when wrought 
To frenzy by the thyrsus, at the rites 

Triennial of the Son of Semele, 800 

Yelling and shrieking howl the dames of Thrace ! 
Past these, and past the warrior-Leleges, 
Caria she roamed and Lycia, — by the walls 
Of Lymira by Cragus over-topped, 

O'er Xanthus' stream, and where Chimsera glows 805 

Pregnant with central fire, a lioness 
Above, a snake below. And now the woods 
Were traversed, and o'erworn with vain pursuit 
Upon the plain she sank, her locks on Earth 
Dank trailing, and her lips, too weak for speech, 810 

Pressed to a heap of Autumn's drifted leaves. 
Her frequent there the Lelegeian Nymphs 
With tender arms would raise, beseech her quell 
That fatal passion, soothe, console ; — 'twas vain ! 
She would not hear, or answer. Mute she lay, 815 



1 
308 STORY OF IPHIS AND IANTHE. [Book IX. 

With restless fingers plucking at the grass, 

And watering all the herbage with her tears. 

To these, they say, the pitying Nymphs supplied — 

"What could they more 1 — a never-failing fount 

Whence still, — as from the wounded pine exudes 820 

Its resinous blood, as some bituminous spring 

Incessant bubbles, as the wintry ice 

That binds the brook, when warm Favonius breathes, 

Dissolving trickles in the vernal Sun, — 

They flowed, till all the Maid in her own tears 825 

Was melted to a fountain ! Still beneath 

The ilex-grove that shades that Carian vale 

It flows, and bears unhappy Byblis' name. 

XII. Through all the hundred towns of Crete the tale 
Had moved more marvel, but that Crete was then 830 

Engrossed with newer wonders of her own. 
In Phsestia, — close upon the Gnossian bounds, — 
Of low but honest birth, and known to few, 
Dwelt Lygdus, frugal, with such scant estate 
As matched his birth, respected for a life 835 

Of blameless rectitude. His consort's hour 
Of travail was at hand. " Two things " — he said — 
" I pray for, — first, for thee an easy time, 
" And next, for both, a boy ! — These chits of girls, 
" Too weak to earn their living, are but plagues 840 

" And burdens. Should the babe thou bear'st, (which Fate 
" Forefend,) be female, sorrowing though I speak 
" Her sentence, Heaven forgive me! — but she dies!" 
Weeping he spoke whose will was law, and she 
Whose duty was obedience weeping heard, 845 



Book IX.] STORY OF IPHIS AND IANTHE. 309 

And long and earnestly, with, fruitless prayers 

Besought him leave to wiser Nature's choice 

Unfettered freedom. But the man was fixed, 

Immovable. And now she scarce sustained 

Her waxing burden's weight ; when by her couch 850 

At midnight, 'mid a band of kindred Gods, 

Great Isis stood, or seemed to stand, her brows 

Horned like the moon, and chapleted with wreath 

Of harvest-golden ears, in majesty 

Divine of port: — Anubis, dog-faced God, 855 

Beside her, — and Bubastis, — and the Bull 

Apis of dappled hue, — and He who lays 

A silence-warning finger on his lips, — 

And great Osiris, ever sought anew 

With sistral clangour, — and the Snake of Nile 860 

That painless poisons with narcotic death. 

Sudden aroused from slumber, manifest 

She saw and heard the Goddess — " Be of cheer, 

" My Telethusa, lay aside thy cares, 

" True votary," she said, "nor hesitate 865 

" To balk thy lord's commands, and, when thy load 

" Lucina lightens, save whate'er the Gods 

" Shall send thee. Helpful am I ; — whoso prays 

" My aid prays ne'er in vain. Thou hast not served 

" A thankless Power!" — She spake, and disappeared. 870 

Eejoicing Telethusa rose, and spread 

Her hands to Heaven, and prayed her dreams come true. 

And now her pains laid hold on her, — the weight 

She bore within her forced its way to life, — 

And to the cheated sire a girl was born 875 

Proclaimed a boy, and for a boy believed. 



310 STORY OF IPHIS AND IANTHE. [Book IX. 

The nurse alone the secret knew and kept : — 

The Father thanked his Gods, and bade the babe 

Iphis be called, as erst his grandsire was ; 

And the pleased mother hailed the lucky name 880 

That fitted either sex, and told no lie. 

So unsuspected long the pious fraud 

Lay hidden : — as a boy the child was trained, 

Fair with such doubtful grace, as either sex 

Might wear, and pass for comeliest of its kind. 885 

Ten years and three rolled by : — and Lygdus pledged 

His Iphis' hand to old Telestes' child, 

The golden-haired Ianthe, richest far 

Of Phaestia's maids in dower of loveliness. 

Well matched in age and beauty were the pair ; — 890 

Together bred, together taught what schools 

And masters teach, — in either artless breast 

Nature had kindled love ; in either burned 

An equal flame, but ah ! no equal hope ! 

Impatient one would speed the happy day 895 

That makes the seeming youth she loves her own: — 

One, not less loving, but despairs to know 

The bliss she covets hopeless : — fiercer burns 

The flame, that, in a maiden for a maid, 

It burns in vain. " Alas ! " she cries, and scarce 900 

The starting tears represses, — "What but woe 

" Have I to look for, — I whose hapless breast 

" Too cruel Yenus with this passion fires, 

" Strange, unexampled, monstrous ! Had the Gods 

" Been pitiful — the Gods who spared me erst 905 

" But to destroy me now — they might have found 

" Methinks, some commoner wonted ill, some plague 



Book IX.] STORY OF IPHIS AND IANTHE. 311 

" Of less unnatural sting, to vex me with ! 

" Love fires not cow for cow, or mare for mare, 

" Or ewe for ewe ; — the doe pursues the buck ; — 910 

" No bird of air, no thing that breathes, endures 

" Female to mate with female -.—would to Heaven 

" That I no woman were, or else were dead ! 

" Hath not our Crete borne prodigies enough 

" Of monstrous love 1 ? — The daughter of the Sun 915 

" Was of a bull enamoured, — yet no law 

" Of sex, so loving, broke, — so less insane 

" In aim, at least, than I ! Her cunning served 

" Her passion well, and in the seeming Cow 

" Might well delude her witless paramour! 920 

" But I! — though all the craft of all the world 

" Were here at will, though Daedalus himself 

" Could hither backward ply his waxen wings, — 

" What boot were all to me ? Could art transform 

" Me to a boy, or make Ianthe man 1 925 

" Bethink thee, Iphis ! be of firmer soul, 

" And quench this hopeless flame that fires thy breast ! 

" Accept what Nature made thee, nor deceive 

" Thyself as others: — seek what may be sought, 

" And learn to love but as a woman should. 930 

" 'Tis hope that wakes, 'tis hope that nurtures love, 

" And hope is not for thee ! — No guardian's watch 

u No jealous spouse, no churlish sire denies 

" Ianthe to thine arms : — herself is fain 

" Thine asking to forestall: — and never yet 935 

" Canst thou possess her! Though all circumstance, 

" All men, all Gods, conspire thy happiness, 

" Thus canst thou ne'er be happy! Every vow 



312 STORY OF IPHIS AND IANTHE. [Book IX. 

" That heart can form, save one, is granted me : — 

" The favouring Heavens have given me all they can: — 

" Love answers love, and sire consents with sire: — 941 

" And envious Nature, mightier far than all, 

" Alone my foe, forbids! The happy day, 

" For so they deem it, is at hand that makes 

" Ianthe mine: — mine? — never to he mine! 945 

" Amid surrounding waves we die of thirst! 

" And how should Juno, how should Hymen, come 

" With spousal blessing to such mocking rites 

" As lack a groom, and link but bride with bride 1 " 

So spake she: — and, the while, with equal fires 950 

Ianthe burned, and chid the lingering hours 
That stayed the bridal morn. Nor such delay 
Was lacked as Telethusa's fears could find : — 
Sick was she now, — now dreamed a dream, — now saw 
Some evil-boding omen : — but the time 955 

Wore on, no pretext more was left; one day 
Alone remained. Before the altar knelt 
The mother and her child, their flowing locks 
Dishevelled from the fillet's zone unbound : — 
And earnest, clasping with her arms the shrine, 960 

Prayed Telethusa — " Hear me, Isis! Queen 
" Supreme in Parsetonium, by the shores 
" Of Mareotis' lake and Pharos' isle. 
" And where old Nilus seven-fold rolls his flood ! 
" In pity hear, and aid ! My soul is racked 965 

" With fears ! Thee, Goddess ! Thee it was I saw! 
" Thine ensigns, and thy train, thy torch's blaze, 
" Thy sistrum's clang, — I recognised them all, 
" And knew Thee, and obeyed Thee!— 'Tis by Thee, 



Book IX.] STORY OF IPHIS AND IANTHE. 313 

" Thy counsel, thy command, that Iphis looks 970 

" Yet on the light, — that I myself escape 

" Unpunished! Pity, help, and save us both!" 

Weeping she prayed : and, as by pity touched, 

The very altar seemed, and more than seemed, 

To tremble, and the Temple's shaken gates 975 

Eattled assent : — the Goddess' mooned brows 

Flashed radiance, and untouched the sistrum clanged. 

Hopeful, not yet secure, the Mother turned 
And left the shrine : — and Iphis followed her 
With longer, firmer stride, — a cheek that glowed 980 

More ruddy than its wont, — an added power 
Of limb and frame, — a bolder glance of eye, — 
A shorter crisper curl of hair, — a sense 
Of vigour more than woman's. — Thou who wert 
A Woman, art a Man! With thankful gifts 985 

Heap ye the shrines! Bejoice! nor doubt the Gods ! 
With thankful gifts the shrines they heap, and fix, 
Beside, a tablet, with this legend graved, 
" These to the Gods did Iphis vow, a Maid: — 
" These to the Gods did Iphis pay, a Man." ' 990 

And now the morrow-morn unveiled the world, 
And Venus came, and Juno, and the God 
Of wedlock with his torch, and, in all bliss, 
A lusty bridegroom clasped a blooming bride. 



THE 



METAMORPHOSES 



OF 



PUBLIUS OVIDIUS NASO 



BOOK X. 



THE METAMORPHOSES. 



BOOK X. 

I. Thence saffron-robed aloft through boundless air 
Plew Hynienaeus, to Ciconian Thrace 
By Orpheus summoned in no happy hour. 
So called, he came : — hut with no customed word 
Of blessing, — no propitious sign, — no smile, — 
And waving but a dismal torch, that hissed 
Dark-smoking, nameless, ominous of woe 
Too soon to come, too heavy. As the bride 
New- wedded, with a band of Naiads girt, 
Along the meads was sporting, in the heel 
A serpent bit her, and the bite was Death ! 
Long with the Thracian's wail the upper airs 
Of Rhodope rang vocal : — desperate then 
Appealing to the very Shades, he dared 
The dark Tsenarian gorge that leads to Styx 
To tread, and through the unsubstantial realm, 
Populous with phantom-ghosts of buried men, 
Undaunted passed, to where Persephone 
Sits by the Monarch of that cheerless folk 



318 ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. [Book X. 

Of Shadows throned, — and struck his lyre, and sang. 20 

" Gods of the nether world, whereto we all 

" Of mortal birth descend, — if simple truth 

" And plain unvarnished tale your grace may win, — 

" No curious traveller to the darksome realms 

" Of Tartarus, I: — no bold adventurer 25 

" With chain or collar for the triple neck 

" Of fell Medusa's serpent-shaggy whelp : — 

" My bride it is I seek, whose ripening years 

" A venomous serpent blighted. How I strove 

" To bear her loss ye know, and know I strove 30 

" In vain ! Love mastered Patience ! Love, a God 

" Omnipotent above, but if below 

" I know not, though, methinks, not here unknown : — 

" Tor, if Tame lies not of that ancient rape, 

" 'Twas Love that linked yourselves! — By this abode 35 

" Of Terrors, — by black Chaos' awful void, — 

" By all the vast and silent world ye sway, — 

" Hear me ! and pitying bid the Fates re-weave 

" For my Eurydice the thread of life 

" Too early snapped ! — To you we all are owed : — 40 

" And be it soon or late, one common seat 

" Awaits our race: — Hither we all are bound; — 

" Here find our latest home. Alone of Gods 

" Ye boast eternal empire o'er Mankind! 

" Herself, when years renewed their juster term 45 

" Attain, will still be yours. I ask but use, 

" But loan, of what ere long I must restore, — 

" Which if the Fates refuse me, let them keep 

" Me too, and triumph in the doom of both ! " 

So sang he, and, accordant to his plaint, 50 



Book X.] ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. 319 

As wailed the strings, the bloodless Ghosts were moved 
To weeping. By the lips of Tantalus 
Unheeded slipped the wave; — Ixion's wheel 
Forgot to whirl; — the Yulture's bloody feast 
Was stayed; — awhile the Belides forbore 55 

Their leaky urns to dip ; — and Sisyphus 
Sate listening on his stone. Then first, they say, — 
The iron cheeks of the Eumenides 
"Were wet with pity. Of the nether realm 
Xor King nor Queen had heart to say him nay. 60 

Forth from a host of new-descended Shades 
Eurydice was called; and, halting yet 
Slow with her recent wound she came — alive 
On one condition to her Spouse restored, 
That, till Avernus' vale is passed and Earth 65 

Regained, he look not backward, or the boon 
Is null and forfeit. Through the silent realm 
Upward against the steep and fronting hill 
Dark with obscurest gloom, the way he led : 
And now the upper air was all but won, 70 

When, fearful lest the toil o'ertask her strength, 
And yearning to behold the form he loved, 
An instant back he looked, — and back the Shade 
That instant fled ! The arms that wildly strove 
To clasp and stay her clasped but yielding air ! 75 

Xo word of plaint even in that second Death 
Against her Lord she uttered, — how could Love 
Too anxious be upbraided ? — but one last 
And sad " Farewell," scarce audible, she sighed, 
And vanished to the Ghosts that late she left. 80 

Aghast, astounded, at that double death 



320 



ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. 



[Book X. 



Stood Orpheus : — not more stunned the wretch who saw, 

Dragged fettered by his midmost neck of three, 

The hound of Hell, and, as he gazed, of fear 

And life at once delivered, turned to stone : — 85 

Not Olenus when, self-accused, he claimed 

Lethsea's guilt and "blame, — nor she his spouse 

Whose arrogance of beauty dared to vie 

With Goddesses, more stupefied, — when changed 

To neighbour-rocks on Ida's dewy slopes 90 

They stood, in death united as in life. 

Deaf to all prayer, the Ferryman of Hell 

No more allowed him passage. Seven long days, — 

Grief for his meat and weeping for his drink, 

Else nurtureless, — upon the bank he lay, 95 

Haggard and squalid : — then he rose, and cursed 

The inexorable Gods of Erebus, 

And, hopeless, to the snows of Bhodope 

And wind-swept Haemus took his lonely way. 

Thrice in the watery Pisces' sign the Sun 100 

Had closed the circling year, and still he shunned 

The face of woman, loveless ; — or deterred 

By that first wedlock's hapless end, or bound 

By vow to her he lost \ — though many a maid 

The magic of his music moved to love, 105 

And many a longing maiden loved in vain. 

Nor wifeless only lived he, but, if Fame 

Not wrong him, taught the Thracian youth to spurn 

The charms of womankind, and desecrate 

The Love-God's altar with unhallowed fires. no 



II. A hill there was, upon whose level top 



Book X.] THE STORY OF CYPARISSUS. 32 1 

The verdant turf spread shadeless. There his seat 

The God-born rninstrel took, and struck his lyre, 

And lo ! the spot was cool with sudden shade, 

And all the forest clomb to hear the song ! 115 

Chaonia's oak was there, — the sister-grove 

Of Heliad Poplars, — tallest Esculus, — 

The velvet-leafy Lime, — the fragile wand 

Of Hazel, — and the Cornel good for shaft 

Of warrior's spear, — the knotless Silver-Fir, — 120 

The Hex with its load of acorns bowed, — 

The Plane of revellers loved, — the Maple grained 

With various hues, — Willows that haunt the stream, — 

And lake-born Lotos, — ever-verdant Box, — 

Slim Tamarisk, — and the Myrtle's double green, — 125 

And Laurustinus' purple-berried boughs. 

The Ivy trailed its sinuous growth, — the Yine 

With fondling tendrils clasped the listening Elm. 

Came Mountain- Ash, — came Pitch-tree, — Arbutus 

A-flame with crimson-fruitage, — and the Palm 130 

With flexile chaplet circling victor-brows, — 

And Pine, whose shaggy matted crown o'ertops 

A leafless trunk, — still for the form it shrouds 

Of Atys, whilome changed from man to tree, 

Dear to the mighty Mother of the Gods. 135 

III. 'Mid these, like some tall column's shaft that marks 
The racer's goal, the Cypress stood; a tree 
To-day, a youth of yore, and of the God 
Beloved who strings the lyre and strings the bow, 
Master in both. Along Carthaea's meads 140 

There pastured, sacred to the local Nymphs, 

x 



322 THE STORY OF CYPARISSUS. [Book X. 

A stately stag, — his head with ample shade 

Of branching horns o'ershadowed, luminous 

Themselves with gold; — a jewelled collar's fringe 

Bound his slim neck and down his shoulders hung ; 145 

On his mid forehead, as he moved, a boss 

Of silver by a slender fillet swung 

Sustained, and bright beside his arching brows 

From either ear twin brazen pendants played. 

Free from all fears that shake his kind, the haunts 150 

Of men he loved, and even to hands unknown 

His fondling neck would proffer for caress. 

But most to Cyparissus dear, the flower 

Of Csea's youth : — 'twas Cyparissus led 

To freshest pasture and to clearest spring; 155 

'Twas Cyparissus wreathed his horns with flowers, 

Or, mounted on his back, here, there, at will, 

Guided with purple rein his willing steed. 

A summer-morn it was, and fierce the Sun 
In Cancer blazed. Upon a grassy bank 160 

Cool with obscuring boughs, the panting stag 
Had laid him, when from Cyparissus' bow, 
Unknowing what he shot at, sped a shaft 
And pierced him : — and, as from the fatal wound 
The life-blood gushed, in passionate grief the boy 165 

Beside his dying favourite swore to die ! 
No word of tender solace unessayed 
Left Phoebus, — no remonstrance spared with grief 
Too heavy for such chance : — the boy wept on, 
And called the Gods to grant him one last boon, 170 

And let him weep for ever ! — So his blood 
Perpetual sorrow drained ; — his pallid limbs 



Book X.] THE SONG OF ORPHEUS. 323 

Gradual a deepening green o'erspread; the locks 

But now soft waving round a marble brow 

Eose rough and horrent, and in slender sj)ire 175 

Of matted verdure pointed to the skies. 

" Farewell then ! " said the sighing God — " by me 

" Still be thou mourned, and still for others mourn, 

" And evermore companion be of woe ! " 

IV. So round the Bard each tree of all the grove 180 
And every beast of earth and bird of air 
In listening ring were gathered : — And, as touched 
Prelusive, every string of various tone 
Accordant answered, thus the song began. 
" Muse, Mother mine, with Jove, great Lord of all, 185 
" Inaugurate my lay ! — The might of Jove 
" Ere now not seldom have I sung : — 'twas I 
" That hymned his triumph o'er the Giant brood 
" On Phlegra blasted by the bolts of Heaven. 
" Be lighter now my strain: — what youthful charms 190 
" Have warmed the Gods, — the meed of lawless fires 
" What guilty maids have earned, — be these my theme. 
" Jove's sovereign self, of Phrygian Ganymede 
" Enamoured, found a shape that for the nonce 
" More pleased him than his own, and in the form — 195 
" No meaner — of the bird that bears his bolts, 
" A seeming-Eagle swooped, and bore aloft 
" The boy to Heaven ; where still, in Juno's spite, 
" 'Tis his with nectar, when the Immortals feast, 
" The bowl to crown, and hand the draught to Jove. 200 

Y. " Thee, too, Amyclas' child, like place in Heaven — 



324 THE SONG OF ORPHEUS. [Book X. 

" (But that the Fates too hurrying balked the gift — ) 

" Had Phoebus given, — eternal yet, as far 

" As God could make thee : — oft as Winter yields 

" To Spring, and from the watery Fish the Earn 205 

" Receives the Sun, so oft in delicate flower 

" From the green turf thou risest, born anew. 

" Thee above all my Father loved ! For thee 

" Did central Delphi lack her guardian God 

" Absent beside Eurotas, — where the halls 210 

" Of Sparta need no rampart save her sons, — 

" Careless of lyre and bow, of Deity 

" Itself, content, the comrade of thy sport, 

" To bear thy nets, to leash thy hounds, to breast 

" The rugged hill, beside thee, and but learn 215 

" From long companionship to love thee more. 

" Midway betwixt the past and coming night 
" Stood Titan, when the pair, their limbs unrobed 
" And glistening with the olive's unctuous juice, 
" In friendly contest with the discus vied. 220 

" Whirled first in turn from Phoebus' poising hand 
" The ponderous missile cleft the opposing clouds 
" In arch enormous curving to its mark 
" Far set in solid earth, a miracle 

" Of strength and skill. The boy of Tsenarus, 225 

" Blind to the risk, with emulous ardour rushed 
" To seize the falling orb that, as he stooped, 
" From the hard cruel earth in cruel air 
" Rebounding, smote him deadly on the brow. 
" Pale, Hyacinthus, as thyself, the God 230 

" Beheld thee fall, and in his arms upraised 
" Now chafed thy limbs collapsed, now stanched the blood 



Book X.] STORY OF HYACINTHUS. 325 

" Fast-gushing, now with all appliance strove 

" Of helpful herbs to stay thy fleeting soul, — 

" Arts profitless for wound "beyond a cure ! 235 

" As when some watered garden-plot the hand 

" Of wanton mischief mars, the violet 

" Or lily from its bruised and yellowing stem 

" Hangs wilting, and supportless on the soil 

" Its flaccid head the pendent poppy trails, 240 

" So on his shoulders from the nerveless neck 

" To its own weight unequal drooped the head 

" Of Hyacinth: — and o'er him wailed the God: — 

" ' Liest thou so, CEbalia's child, of youth 

" ' Untimely robbed, and wounded by my fault, 245 

" ' At once my grief and guilt 1 — This hand hath dealt 

" ' Thy Death! 'tis I who send thee to the grave! 

" ' And yet scarce guilty, unless guilt it were 

" ' To sport, or guilt to love thee ! YVould this life 

" ' flight thine redeem, or be with thine resigned ! 250 

" ' But thou — since Fate denies a God to die — 

" ' Be present with me ever ! Let thy name 

" ' Dwell ever in my heart and on my lips, 

" ' Theme of my lyre and burden of my song ; 

" * And ever bear the echo of my wail 255 

« ' "VYrit on thy new-born flower! — The time shall come 

" ' YYhen, with thyself associate, to its name 

" ' The mightiest of the Greeks shall link his own ! ' 

" Prophetic as Apollo mourned, the blood 
" That with its dripping crimson dyed the turf 260 

" "Was blood no more: and sudden sprang to life 
" A flower that wore the lily's shape, but not 
" The lily's silver livery, purple-hued 



326 THE SONG OF ORPHEUS. [Book X. 

" And brighter than all tinct of Tyrian shells : 

" Nor with that boon of beauty satisfied, 265 

" Upon the petals of its cup the God 

" Stamped legible his sorrow's wailing cry, 

" And l Ai ! Ai ! ' ever seems the flower to say. 

" Proud of the son she bore, in honour yet 
" His Sparta holds him, and with annual pomp 270 

" Of rite ancestral celebrates his feast. 

YI. " Inquire of Amathus, for mineral wealth 
" Exhaustless famed, if honoured thus she holds 
" Her own Propoetides : — and Amathus 
" Would fain disown them with that other race 275 

" She nurtured, from their rough and horned brows 
" Cerastse called, before whose gates the guest 
" The altar saw of Hospitable Jove, 
" And marked its stains, and deemed their crimson due 
" To victim younglings of the flock or herd, — 280 

" And learned too late — himself the sacrifice — 
" What guilty rites the dismal stone denied! 
" Wroth with that impious crew, the Queen of Love 
" Her Cyprus and its towns and pleasant fields 
" Forswearing, turned to fly: — ' Yet what' — she said — 
" ' Have these my innocent cities done 1 ? — The haunts 286 
" ' I love are guiltless. Let their barbarous sons 
" ' By death or exile expiate their crimes ! 
" ' Or could I frame some doom that smacks of both, 
" ' And change them into beasts 1 ' — And as she paused, 
" Doubting what form might fit them, on their brows 291 
" Her glance she turned — ' Horns have they 1 — Then their 
horns 



Book X.] STORY OF PYGMALION. 327 

" ' Still may they keep ! ' she cried, — and into shape 
" Accordant of rough oxen changed the rest. 



VII. " But for the bold Propcetides who dared 295 
" Her Deity deny, the Goddess' wrath 

" Found other fate. Them, earliest of their sex 

" She doomed the harlot's hateful trade to ply; 

M And, when upon their brazen cheeks the blush 

" Of shame had ceased to glow, with easy change 300 

" Transformed the hardened Prostitutes to stone. 

VIII. " That guilty life and foul Pygmalion saw, 
" And, wroth with Nature for the wickedness 

" Innate in womankind, un wedded lived, 

" And long endured no partner of his bed. 305 

' ' He with the sculptor's happiest art had carved 

" A masterpiece, of purest ivory, 

" Such fair ideal of all female grace 

" As woman never realised ; and fell 

" Himself enamoured of his proper work. 310 

" A very Maid the figure seemed, instinct 

" With life, and but by modesty restrained 

" Prom instant motion. So all show of art 

" By art itself was hidden, so like life 

" The image looked, that, as the Artist gazed 315 

" Admiring what himself had wrought, within 

" His bosom wonder into passion warmed, 

" And oft his hands the ivory tried, in doubt 

" If flesh it were or ivory, scarce the last 

" Convinced to think it. — Now upon her lips 320 

" A kiss he prints, and dreams his kiss returned : — 



328 THE SONG OF ORPHEUS. [Book X. 

" jSTow lover-wise he sues : — now passionate 

" Embraces : — fancies that the yielding limbs 

" Give to his touch, and fears their tenderness 

" To bruise : — now plies her with all wooing gifts 325 

" Grateful to Maids : — brings glistening shells, and gems 

" Transparent polished, captured birds, and flowers 

" Of lily, and the garden's thousand hues, 

" And parti-coloured toys, and, from the grove 

" Of poplars sought, the Heliads' amber tears : — 330 

" Now robes her limbs with garments gay, and loads 

" With rings her slender fingers, and her neck 

" With pendent necklace clasps, and from her ears 

" Hangs orient pearls, and round her waist a zone, — 

" Becoming all ; — though fairest still she seemed 335 

" In charm of naked beauty unadorned. 

" Last on a couch whose purple trappings glow 

" With tincture of Sidonian shells he lays 

" His idol, — calls her ' wife ' and ' bedfellow,' 

" And slopes and smooths the pillow's down as though 340 

" Her head could feel its softness. — 'Twas the day 

" Most honoured in all Cyprus' Kalendar 

" Of Yenus' festival : — with gilded horns 

" The milk-white heifers bled, — the air was thick 

" With incense : — and with sacrificial rite 345 

" Pygmalion suppliant at the altar stood, 

" And ' ye Gods' — he prayed — ' omnipotent 

" ' To grant what boon ye will, be mine for wife — 

" ' (" My ivory Maid" he dared not say) — be mine 

" ' One like my ivory Maid ! ' Above her shrine 350 

" The golden Goddess present heard the prayer 

" And knew its meaning : and with luminous tongue 



Book X.] STORY OF PYGMALION. 329 

" Of flame in friendly sign the altar-fire 

" Blazed upward thrice to Heaven. The Sculptor sought 

" His home, and, bending o'er the couch that bore 355 

" His Maiden's lifelike image, to her lips 

" Fond pressed his own, — and lo ! her lips seemed warm, 

" And warmer, kissed again : — and now his hand 

" Her bosom seeks, and dimpling to his touch 

" The ivory seems to yield, — as in the Sun 360 

" The waxen labour of Hymettus' bees, 

" By plastic fingers wrought, to various shape 

" And use by use is fashioned. "Wonder-spelled, 

" Scarce daring to believe his bliss, in dread 

" Lest sense deluded mock him, on the form 365 

" He loves again and yet again his hand 

" Lays trembling touch, and to his touch a pulse 

" Within throbs answering palpable : — 'twas flesh ! 

" 'Twas very Life ! — Then forth in eloquent flood 

" His grateful heart its thanks to Yenus poured I 370 

" The lips he kissed were living lips that felt 

" His passionate pressure ; — o'er the virgin-cheeks 

" Stole deepening crimson ; — and the unclosing eyes 

" At once on Heaven and on their Lover looked ! 

"Auspicious Venus with her presence graced 375 

" That bridal of her making ; and, when months 
" Thrice three in perfect orb had linked the horns 
" Of Luna, to the twain a son was born, 
" Paphos, — whose name the Paphian Isle preserves. 

IX. " Next of his line was Cinyras : — a name 380 

" Writ in the roll of Fortune's happier sons, 
" Had Fate but childless let him live and die.— 



330 



THE SONG OF ORPHEUS. 



[Book X. 



" Fathers and Daughters, from the song whose theme 

" Is horror, turn away ! But, if perforce 

" The dulcet numbers charm your ears to list, 385 

" Deny me faith, and doubt the guilt I tell, — 

" Or, if the guilt ye credit, credit too 

" The penalty it paid ! — If Nature bear 

" Such stain, I thank her, that this realm of ours, 

" This native northern Thrace, so far apart 390 

" She sundered from the feverish climes that breed 

" Ensample of such foulness ! Araby 

" May vaunt her spicy treasures, cinnamon, 

" Amomus, and the fragrant groves that weep 

" Her aromatic gums, the flowers that scent 395 

" Her gales : — What boot of these, if Myrrha too 

" She bears 1 — Too dear she pays that new-born tree ! 

" Myrrha, whom Cupid's self swears never dart 

" Drawn from his quiver wounded, and from flame 

" So foul indignant vindicates his torch ! 400 

" Some Sister 'twas of those Infernal Three 

" "With Stygian brand in Hydra's venom steeped 

" That fire unhallowed kindled ! — Guilt it is 

" To hate a Parent • — greater guilt to love 

" As thou did'st, Myrrha ! — Suitors for thy hand 405 

" The Orient sends its noblest, Asia's flower 

" Around thee throngs, ambitious of thy bed : — 

" Choose one of these, nor be thy choice the one 

" Alone of all forbidden !— All too well 

" Conscience arraigned the guilt, and, in her breast, 410 

" The horrible impulse combated : — ' Ah me ! ' — 

" So with herself she communed — ' Am I mad 1 

" ' What would I do ? Aid me, ye pitying Gods, 



Book X.] CINYRAS AND MYRRH A. 33 1 

" ' And thou fair Natural Piety, whose law 

" ' Ordains a Parent's sacredness, resist, 415 

" ' Porbid so foul a crime ! — Yet, is it crime'? 

u i Does Natural Piety so stigmatise 

" ' Such passion 1 — All the lower life that fills 

" ' Our world without impediment of choice 

" ' Is free to love : — the amorous Bull "bestrides 420 

" ' His daughter Heifer, and the Stallion leaps 

" ' The filly of his getting ; — Earns will tup 

" ' The ewes they bred, and every bird of Heaven 

" ' Unshamed with parent or with offspring pairs, 

" ' Too happy in that licence ! — Man alone 425 

" ' With envious laws malignant bars to man 

" ' What Nature sanctions in all creatures else. 

" ' Yet have I heard of lands where Sires may wed 

" ' Their Daughters, Sons their Mothers, — and where love 

" ' So linked burns warmer: — why in such a clime 430 

" ' Was I not born 1 — Ah ! miserable me, 

" ' Whose birthplace is my bane ! — What boot to dwell 

" ' On thoughts like these 1 Begone, forbidden hopes ! 

" ' Of love most worthy is he, — but such love 

" ' Alone as Pathers claim. Were I not born 435 

" ' The daughter of great Cinyras, myself 

" ' Might Cinyras have wedded ! Mine he is, 

'"So closely mine, that mine he cannot be ! 

" ' Our very nearness sunders us, and kills 

" ' The hope that, were I stranger to his blood, 440 

'* ' I yet might cherish. Best it were to seek 

" ' Some foreign shore, far from this native soil, 

" ' And shun this wickedness : — Alas! my heart 

" ' Past binds me here ! — To see him, — hear him speak, — 



332 THE SONG OF ORPHEUS. [Book X. 

" ' To feel his kiss, — and if no more — no more? 445 

" ' What more, too impious Myrrha, clar'st thou dream ? 

" ' What foul confusion of all sacred names, 

" ' All hallowed ties of kindred, would' st thou work ? 

" ' What horrible titles would thy frenzy win? 

" c Thy Mother's Eival, and thy Father's Whore ! 450 

" ' Thyself thine own Son's Sister, and thyself 

" ' To thine own Brother Mother! — Would'st thou rouse 

" ' The wrath of Hell's dread Sisters, bristling black 

" ' With snaky locks, whose terrible torches flash 

" ' Avenging madness in the eyes of Guilt? — 455 

" ' Yet carnal-taintless, cleanse thy tainted soul, 

" ' And quell these lawless thoughts that violate 

" ' The sanctity of Nature ! — Wert thou free 

" ' To hope, thy hope were vain : — too good he is, — 

" ' Too wise to see, too firm to hold the Eight : — 460 

" ' And yet Oh ! Gods ! that he were mad as I ! ' 

"So she : — but Cinyras, amid the throng 
" Of worthy suitors doubtful which to choose, 
" His daughter calls, and name by name recounts 
" The rival list, and bids herself decide 465 

" Whom would she like for husband. Silent long 
" She stands, with heaving breast and eyes, suffused 
" With surging tears, upon her Father fixed. 
" That seeming sign of virgin modesty 
" Not undispleased he marks, and cheers her, bids 470 
" Her weep not, kisses her, — and with the kiss 
" Thrills all her frame with passion. Then again 
" He asks ' Whom would she for her spouse ? ' — and low 
" She murmurs — ' One like thee!' — Not understood 
" The answer pleased ! — ' So ever pious be 475 



Book X.] CINYRAS AND MYRRH A. 333 

" ' Dear Daughter mine,' lie said : and at the name 

" Of Piety with conscience-guilt her soul 

" Smote her, and bent to earth her sin-inking eyes. 

" 'Twas midnight: — sleep had stilled the household's 
cares : — 
" Alone, by that resistless fire consumed, 480 

" Unhappy Myrrha restless wakes, and breathes 
" Anew her frantic vows : — despairing now, 
" Now resolute to venture, — now by shame 
" And now by passion mastered, — fever-wrought, 
" And mad to act, yet how to act at loss. 485 

" As when some forest-giant by the axe 
" Deep-wounded nods, and all the wood around 
" "Waits trembling, doubtful where the final stroke 
" Shall bid its ruin crash, — so in that storm 
" Of fierce-conflicting passions rocked her soul 490 

" Now hither bent, now thither, as the gust 
" Alternate swayed. No end, no rest she sees 
" For love like hers, save Death : — and she can die! 
" Her zone shall end her sorrows! — From her couch 
" She springs, and from a beam the ready belt 495 

" Suspends, and ' Oh ! too fondly loved ! ' she sighs 
" ' Dear Cinyras, Farewell! and pitying guess 
" ' Why Myrrha died ! ' — But at her door the Nurse 
" Her chamber's guardian, wakeful, overheard 
" The murmured words, and rose in fright, and burst 500 
" Within, and saw the instrument of death 
" Ere all its work was done, and shrieked, and cut 
" The knot, and from her neck the halter tore ; 
" And, now for tears at leisure, weeping flung 
" Around her charge her arms, and earnestly 505 



334 THE SONG OF ORPHEUS. [Book X. 

" Besought what grief that desperate deed impelled. 

" But mute, with obstinate down-look bent on earth, 

" Stood Myrrha, with the service wroth that marred 

" The purposed Death. The urgent Nurse pursues 

" Her quest, and shows her silver locks, and bares 510 

" Her withered breast, and, by all memories 

" Of childhood's kindly nurture, prays her speak 

" Her hidden sorrow. "With a groan she turns 

" And hides her face. But pertinacious still 

" The beldame presses : — more than secrecy 515 

" She pledges : — ' Tell me all ! confess thy grief ! 

" ' Old as I am, my age is helpful yet. 

" ' If this be madness, I can find thee cure 

" ' Of healing charm and herb : — have evil eyes 

" ' Bewitched thee? — magic art can loose the spell : — 520 

" ' If Heaven be wroth with thee, the wrath of Heaven 

" ' Due sacrifice appeases : — What beyond 

" 'Bemains to guess 1 ? — Thy house's fortunes stand 

" ' Assured and growing, and thy Parents live, 

" ' Mother and Sire : ' — and at that name of Sire 525 

" A heavy sigh from Myrrha's bosom burst. 

" ISTor yet suspicion of the guilty truth 

" Dawns on the Nurse ; though in that sign she reads 

" Some hidden passion, and importunate 

" Implores her, be it what it may, to own 530 

" The secret wish ; and to her aged breast 

" She folds her, and around her neck entwines 

" Her feeble arms : — ' I see it now ! ' she cries — 

" ' Thou lovest ! Be of cheer ! my wit can aid 

" ' Thy love, and keep the secret from thy Sire.' 535 

" Then maddened from her holding sprang the maid, 



Book X.] CINYRAS AND MYRRHA. 335 

" And flung herself upon the bed : — ' Begone ! 

" ' And spare my shame ! ' — and, as the beldame pressed 

" Still urgent, — 'Hence! begone! or cease to ask 

" ' My torment's source : — What thou woulds't know is guilt 

" ' To feel and crime to speak ! ' — Aghast the crone 541 

" Heard her, and tremulous with age and fear 

" Her hands outspread, and at her nursling's feet 

" Knelt suppliant, now with blandishment, and now 

" With threat, if still her secret she denies, 545 

" The fatal girdle's story to disclose, 

" And tell her kindred of the purposed Death ; 

" Pledging — so only she avows her love — 

" All service to its aid. The wretched girl 

" Looked up, and in her Nurse's bosom poured 550 

" A flood of passionate weeping ; — long she strove 

" For words, but found no voice : — then, in her robe 

" Veiling her crimson cheeks, — ' Mother mine 

" ' Too happy in thy Husband's arms ! ' at last 

" She said, and groaned, and ceased. And, as she caught 

" Her sense, cold tremors shook the Nurse's frame — 556 

" Erect with horror stood her whitened hair, — 

" And long and earnest that unhallowed lust 

" She combated : and Myrrha heard her plead 

"And owned — how could she else — the counsel just; 560 

" Yet heard obdurate, and for all response 

" Had but one word, — ' I win him, or I die ! ' 

" ' Live then ! ' — the beldame cried — ' and win thy — love !' 

" She dared not say ' thy Parent :' — and by Heaven 

" And all its Gods her wicked service pledged. 565 

" The season 'twas of annual festival 
" When, stoled in spotless white, the Cyprian Dames 



336 THE SONG OF ORPHEUS. [Book X. 

" With, fragrant first-fruit of all kindly grain 

" And herb and fruit great Ceres' altars crown ; 

" And for nine nights apart — so wills the rite — 570 

" Lie strangers to their Lords : — the Monarch's spouse, 

" Cenchreis, first in place the worship led. 

" That favouring time, when half the regal couch 

" Was vacant, seized the evil-zealous crone, 

" And hot with revel found the King, and told 575 

" Alas ! too true a tale — how, passion- wrought 

" A beauteous Maid, whose name she might not speak, 

" Pined for his love. Her age the Monarch asked : — 

" ' The same,' she said, ' as Myrrha's : ' — and, with charge 

" To bring her, back she sped. 'Kejoice!' she cried, 580 

" ' My child ! the field is ours ! thy wish is won ! ' 

" But not with all her heart the wretched girl 

" Had welcome for the words : — presaging fears 

" Within sad warned her of the woe to come : — 

" Though 'mid the whirl and tumult at her heart 585 

" Joy still was uppermost. The hour it was 

" Of midnight-silence, when Bootes' wain 

"Athwart the Trions wheels its course oblique : — 

" And to her crime she went ! — The golden Moon 

" Forsook the skies, — in pall of sable-cloud 590 

" The Stars fled shrouded, — blackest darkness quenched 

" All fires of Night. Thou, Icarus, wert first 

" To veil thy beams, and thou, Erigone, 

" Heaven-guerdoned Martyr of thy filial love ! 

" Thrice, as she trod the gloom, her stumbling foot 595 

" Gave warning to return : — and thrice the owl 

" Funereal omen hooted. On she went : — 

" Nidit and its shadows hid what shame was left : — 



Book X.] CINYRAS AND MYRRH A. 337 

" One hand fast clinging to the guiding Nurse, 

" One in the darkness groping by the wall. 600 

" So to the chamber's threshold crept the pair : 

" And, as the beldame pressed the yielding door 

" And led her in, together knocked her knees 

" Beneath her tottering weight, — the blood forsook 

" Her colourless cheeks, — all nerve, all courage failed ; — 

" At point to sin, the horror of the guilt 606 

" Appalled her soul : — Would Heaven she ne'er had dared 

" That venture, or could yet unknown retreat ! 

" But onward to the couch the elder drew 

" Her shrinking form : — ' Take, Cinyras, thine own ! ' 610 

" She said, and thrust her to him. And the King 

" To his foul sheets his proper bowels took, 

" Soothing what seemed a virgin's natural fears 

" With fondling name of ' Daughter' or of ' Child,' 

" Apt for her tenderer years ; and heard perchance 615 

" ' Father' in whispering accents murmured back, 

" Lest one true name should lack to crown the crime ! 

" Pull of her Sire from that incestuous bed 
" She rose, and, laden with the fruit of sin, 
" Looked for the coming night : — nor that alone 620 

" The guilty commerce ended ; — till the King, 
" Curious to know the partner of a joy 
" So oft renewed, struck sudden light, and saw 
" At once his crime and child ! No word he spake — 
" Horror lacked speech — but from the ready sheath 625 
" Hung by the couch he snatched his gleaming blade 
" And there had slain her ; — but protecting night 
" And outer darkness helped her hasty flight, 
" And marred the blow. Fast, far, through many a clime, 

Y 



338 THE SONG OF ORPHEUS. [Book X. 

" O'er many a land, she fled ! The palmy groves 630 

" Of Araby, Panchaea's fragrant fields 

" Were left, — and nine times now had Luna filled 

" Her orbing horns, when, faint, and travel-worn, 

" And weak to bear her waxing burden's weight, 

" Sabsea gave her shelter and repose. 635 

" Scarce conscious what she asked, and half distraught 

" 'Twixt dread of Death and misery of Life, 

" Her piteous prayer she uttered — ' ye Gods ! 

" ' If Gods have mercy for a sin confessed, 

" ' I own your sentence righteous, nor refuse 640 

" i To bear the suffering that your wrath inflicts. 

" ' Yet, of your grace, let me not longer shame 

" ' In life the living, or in death the dead ! 

" ' Shut me from either realm ! and, in some form 

" ' Of changed existence grant nor Life nor Death ! ' 645 

" To sin confessed the Gods are merciful, 
" And that last prayer was heard. Even as she spoke 
" The rising soil her lower limbs embraced, 
" And downward from her sprouting feet a root, 
" Fit to support some tall tree's towering trunk, 650 

" Its fibres struck : — what erst was bone was wood. 
" Alone unchanged the central marrow's pith 
" Eemained : — her blood was sap — her arms were boughs — 
" Her fingers twigs — her hardened skin was bark ! 
"And now the climbing rind her pregnant womb 655 

" Enlaced, and now her bosom now her neck 
" O'ercasing rose : — till, of that lingering fate 
" Impatient, down she sank her head and met 
" Half-way the mounting wood, and all her face 
" Veiled in its barky shroud ! — All corporal sense 660 



Book X.] BIRTH OF ADONIS. 339 

" In that changed form extinguished, still she weeps 
" Tears not unprized : and still the odorous drops 
" Of myrrh retain the weeper's name, and tell 
"To all succeeding times her wretched tale. 

X. " But in the tree the infant, sin-conceived, 665 

" Waxed yet, and quickening from its parent-womb 
" Sought way to life. The growing burden swelled 
" And strained the bulging trunk, that, if it felt 
" A mother's pangs, lacked words to tell its pain, 
" And call Lucina's kindly power to aid. 670 

" Yet labouring seemed the tree with inward throes 
" To heave, and audible each writhing branch 
" Made inarticulate moan, and all its girth 
" Was wet with oozing drops of perfumed tears. 
" Compassionate of that torment, uninvoked 675 

" Lucina came, and touched the boughs, and spake 
" The words that lighten labour ; and the bark 
" Was cloven, and the living boy was born. 
" His feeble infant-wail the Naiads heard, 
" And cradled in their softest herbage laid 680 

" The babe, and washed him in his mother's tears. 
" Even Envy's self his perfect beauty praised, 
" Fair as the rosy forms of naked Loves 
" A Painter's fancy shapes: — Or these disarm 
" Of quiver and of bow, or this equip 685 

" With equal weapons, and the same they seemed! 

" Scarce-marked and silent sped the fleeting years ; — 
" Alas ! what speeds like Time 1 — His Grandsire's Son, 
" His Sister's issue, the late tree-born child, 
" Fairest of babes, was boy, was youth, was man, 690 



340 THE SONG OF ORPHEUS. [Book X. 

" With ever-waxing beauty, — boy than babe, 

" And youth than boy more lovely, man than youth, — 

" Ordained to kindle in the Queen of Love 

" A passion that avenged his mother's fires. 

" Her as her quivered Cupid kissed, a shaft 695 

" Slipped from its sheath, and with unpurposed wound 
" Her snowy bosom grazed. The Goddess felt 
" The smart, and thrust away the careless child ; 
" Though, from so mere a scratch, no thought at first 
" Of danger struck her ; — "but the inward hurt 700 

" Was deeper than it seemed. By mortal charms 
" Inflamed, no longer now Cythera's shores 
" She cares to haunt, or Paphos ocean-girt, 
" Or fishy Cnidus, or where Amathus 
" Teems with its mineral burden : — Heaven itself 705 

" Ceases to charm, — and where Adonis is 
" Than Heaven itself is dearer. On the boy 
" She hangs, — no moment parts her from his side : — 
" She, — wont of yore, beneath the summer-shade 
" Reclined, at ease to prank her idle charms, — 710 

" Girt to the knee like huntress Dian's self 
" O'er hill, o'er rock, through forest shares his sport, 
" And cheers his hounds on all the timorous tribes 
" Whose chase is dangerless, — the antlered stag, 
" The dappled doe, or headlong-flying hare: — 715 

" But for the robber-wolf, the tusky boar, 
" The rending claws that arm the grizzly bear, — 
" The lion red with slaughter of the herd, — 
" All these she shuns ; and thee, Adonis, warns — 
" (Ah! had but Fate that warning let thee heed! — ) 720 
" Thou shun them too. ' Whatever flies, be bold 



Book X.] HIPPOMENES AND ATALANTA. 34 1 

" ' To follow ; what attacks, be wise and fly ! 

" ' Be prudent for my sake, dear youth, nor tempt 

" ' The strife where Mature arms the savage foe, 

" ' Nor buy too dear thy glory with my grief ! 725 

" ' Thy youth, thy beauty, all the charms that moved 

" ' Thy Yenus, move not hons, nor subdue 

" ' The fury of the bristly boar, aroused 

" ' And flashed in lightning from his fiery eyes. 

" ' But most beware the tawny lion's spring! 730 

" ' Him and his race I hate ! ' — ' And why 1 ' the Boy 

" Asks curious. ' List,' — she said — ' and hear a tale 

" ' Wondrous, of by-gone guilt and by-gone woe. 

" ' But this unwonted toil hath made me faint, 

" ' And yonder poplar with its happy shade 735 

" ' Invites, where soft the green turf underneath 

" ' Spreads us a couch : — there rest we ! ' And she flung 

" Her limbs upon the grass, and pressed at once 

" Its verdure and her lover, and, her wealth 

" Of glossy tresses pillowing on his breast, 740 

" With frequent kisses broken told her tale. 

XL " Haply her name hath reached thine ears, whose 
speed 
" All manly rivals vanquished in the race : — 
" T$o fable 'tis — for she did vanquish all; 
" Though whether for that fleetness more renowned, 745 
" Or form of faultless grace, 'twere hard to say. 
" Her, as she questioned of the Gods what fate 
" In wedlock waited her, the Oracle 
" Thus answered : — ' Of no husband hast thou need, 
" ' Atalanta! Thou shalt shun the bond 750 



342 THE SONG OF ORPHEUS. [Book X. 

" ' Of marriage, nor escape it ; and be wed 

" ' But in thyself yet living to be lost.' 

" Awed by the warning of the words of Heaven 

" A virgin lived she : — many a wooer sought 

" Her hand, and one sole answer all repulsed: 755 

" ' His wife alone am I who in the race 

" c Shall conquer me ! Essay it, if ye will. 

" ' Who beats me wins a Bride, — but whom I beat 

" ' Wins only Death ! Be that the contest's law.' 

" Firmly she held her purpose: — but, such spell 760 

" Hath beauty, none the less an eager crowd 

" Of amorous youths the hard condition dared 

" And paid. — It chanced one day the unequal strife 

"To witness came Hippomenes: — and, 'What!' 

" He cried — 'Who stakes existence for a wife? 765 

" ' What fools are these who venture life for love 1 ' 

" Even as he spake, her face, her robeless charms 

" (Like mine, like thine, so wert thou but from man 

" To woman changed — ) flashed by him. Lifting high 

" His hands, ' pardon me,' — he said, — 'whom now 770 

" ' I blamed ! I knew not what the prize ye sought ! ' 

" And passion followed praise, and pale he watched 

" The contest, envious lest some youth outrun 

" The maid and win her. ' Why ' — he thought — ' should I 

" ' Alone not try the fortune of the field? 775 

" ' Heaven helps the bold ! ' Ere well the thought was 

shaped 
" Light as a bird of air, along the course 
" The maiden shot beyond him ! Never shaft — 
" He swore — sped swifter from a Scythian bow! 
" Yet not so much the swiftness, as the grace 780 



Book X.] HIPPOMENES AND ATALANTA. 343 

" Of motion and of limb the swiftness lent, 

" His straining gaze pursued. The breezes fanned 

" Her sandals' glittering pinions : — free adown 

" Her ivory back her floating tresses streamed: — 

" Her cincture's fringe played crimson to her knees 785 

" Mushing with rose her delicate body's snow : — 

" As, in some lordly palace' marble-court, 

" The awning overspread in purple flood 

" Of shadow bathes the fresco-pictured walls. 

" As rapt he gazes, at the goal she stands 790 

" Crowned victor in the race : — the vanquished sigh, 

" And meet their doom. But undeterred the youth 

" Springs to the lists, and fixing on the Maid 

" His ardent gaze, ' Contend with me ! ' — he cries — 

" ' Nor from these laggards wrest this easy fame! 795 

" ' If Fortune speed me, thou need'st never blush 

" l So to be won. The Son of Megareus, 

" ' Onchestius' heir, whose Sire was Neptune's self 

" ' Lord of the "Waters, am I ; nor, methinks 

" ' Unworthy of that strain : — Hippomenes 800 

" ' Defeated crowns thy name with endless praise ! ' 

" With softened glance upon her challenger 
" The Maiden looked, as doubtful, in such strife, 
" Which fate were happier, or to win, or lose. 
" ' What envious God,' — she said, — ' who hates the young 
" ( And fair, his ruin vows, and with the risk 806 

" ' Of that fresh life this wedlock bids him woo % 
" ' I own myself not worth this sacrifice ! 
" ' I care not for his beauty, though such charms 
" ' As his might move me, if man's charms could move :— 
" ' His years, his youth I pity : — not himself. 811 



344 THE SONG OF ORPHEUS. [Book X. 

" ' What if lie bears a soul that fears not death 1 

" ' What if from Neptune fourth his line he trace ? — 

" ( What if he loves me, and at cost of life 

" ' Would win, — if Fate denies me to be won 1 — 815 

" ' Hence, Stranger, while thou may'st ! — a bloody bed 

" ' Is mine, and who would wed me courts his Death! 

" ' Be warned, and woo elsewhere ! — No other Maid 

" ' Will say thee " Nay : " fool were she if she did ! — 

" l Yet wherefore should I spare thee more than those 820 

" ' Before thee lost 1 He knows the risk he runs, 

" ' And undeterred beheld the forfeit paid : — 

" ' Is he of life so weary 1 — Let him die ! 

" ' Yet should he therefore die, because with me 

" ' He longs to live? — Must Death be Love's reward, 825 

" ' And victory brand me with eternal shame 

" ' Without my fault? — Ah! would he cease to claim 

" ' This contest, or the Gods his madness help 

" ' And make him swifter in the race than I ! 

" ' Alas ! his fair young face is like a girl's ! 830 

" ' Would Heaven, Hippomenes, thy hapless eyes 

" ' Had never looked on mine ! Thou should'st not die 

" ' So soon for one, who, had her kinder Fates 

" ' Not barred all woman's hope of wedlock-bliss, 

" ' Happy in such a lot, with thee alone 835 

" ' Of all mankind had gladly shared her bed ! ' 

"So ran her thought, half-spoken. Ignorant 

" How earliest Cupid touched her novice-heart 

" With fire, she loved, and did not know she loved. 

" But loud her Father and his folk demand 840 

" The wonted contest. Ere he starts, to me 

" Brief earnest prayer Neptunus' child prefers : — 

" ' Cythera's Goddess aid me now ! nor quench 



Book X.] HIPPOMENES AND ATALANTA. 345 

" ' In Death the flame thou did'st thyself inspire ! ' 

" The favouring breeze bore to my ear the words, 845 

" And I was moved, — I own it. But the time 

" Was brief for help. — A plain there is, of all 

" The fruitful isle most fertile, of its Swains 

" Called Tamasenum, — appanage of old 

" By Cyprian Fathers to my shrine assigned : — 850 

" And in its midst a tree, whose golden boughs 

" With golden leaves wave rustling in the breeze. 

" Thence, as it chanced, I came, with golden fruit 

" Of apples three fresh-gathered : — and, unseen 

" By any save Hippomenes, approached 855 

" The youth, and gave, and taught him how to use. 

" And now the trumpet sounded, and the twain 

" Shot from the line ! Methought their flying feet 

" Scarce seemed to touch the sand ! so light a step 

" Had skimmed unwet the glass of summer-seas, 860 

" Nor bent the ripened harvest's standing gold ! 

" All clamour of the crowd, all cheering cries 

" Were for the youth : — ' Now ! now ! Hippomenes ! ' 

" They shouted — ' Now's the moment ! Press her hard ! 

" ' No breathing-time allow her ! Speed and win ! ' 865 

" I know not, I, to which, or youth or maid, 

" More grateful rang that cheering. Many a time 

" She might have passed him, yet forbore to pass, 

" As loth to lose the sight of that fair face 

" That spelled her eyes. But now his panting breath 870 

" Came short, — and still the goal was far away : — 

" Then of those apples three the first he took 

" And flung upon the plain : — the glittering bait 

" Caught her, and, while a moment from her course 

" She swerved and stooped to clutch the rolling gold, 875 



346 THE SONG OF ORPHEUS. [Book X. 

" The youth was far ahead. The multitude 

" Kent Heaven with shouting. But her swifter speed 

" Of foot too soon regained the space it lost, 

" And left the boy behind her. Then he dropped 

"A second, and a second time the bribe 880 

" Delayed her, and a second time she caught 

" And overpassed him : — nor the goal was now 

" Ear distant. ' Aid me Goddess dear ! ' he gasped, 

" ' Make good the gift thou gavest ! ' — And he flung 

" With all the strength of youth, athwart the course, 885 

" The third, where most 'twas difficult to win 

" Again the distance lost. Doubtful she gazed 

" To follow or to leave it ; — but I wrought 

" Her choice to follow, and with added weight 

" Informed the lifted fruit, and with that stay 890 

" And that unwonted burden marred her speed. 

" Brief — lest my tale last longer than the race — 

" So aided shot the victor to the goal 

" And won the prize he sought. — Be thou my judge, 

" Adonis, — did I fairly earn, or no, 895 

" My meed of thanks, of incense, and of rite 1 — 

" No meed of thanks, of incense, or of rite 

" The ingrate paid. My favour turned to wrath ; 

" And, burning at that slight, lest after-times 

" Should slight me too, of both I swore to make 900 

" Example. — Thence as with his bride he passed, 

" Beside an ancient temple lay their road, 

" Which, in old time, for some accomplished vow, 

" Echion to the Mother of the Gods, 

" Great Cybele, had reared. The journey's length 905 

" To rest invited : — and my power the boy 

" Stirred with untimely passion of desire. 






Book X.] DEATH OF ADONIS. 347 

" Beside the fane a cavern-like recess 

" Stood, pumice-roofed, and dim -with doubtful light, 

" By ancient reverence hallowed, where a-row 910 

" The temple's guardian stored his carven Gods: — 

" That sacred spot they entered, and denied! 

" Inward the very statues turned their eyes, 

" And scarce the tower-crowned Goddess spared at once 

" Deep under Styx to whelm the guilty pair: — 915 

" Too light such sentence seemed. With sudden change 

" Their smooth white necks a tawny mane o'erspread, — 

" Their hands, their feet, were curved in cruel claws, — 

" Prone sank their shoulders, bestial, — all their strength 

" Centred in breadth of chest; — with lashing tails 920 

" They swept the ground : — with fury flashed their eyes : — 

" And, for sweet human words, a sullen roar 

" Was all their speech. The forest-solitudes 

" Their bridal-chamber spread. A terror yet 

" To vulgar eyes, they champ the bit, and yoked 925 

" Obedient drag the Mighty Mother's car. 

" Of these, Beloved, and all fiercer brutes 

" That face, not fly, the hunter, be thou ware; 

" Lest over-boldness bring us both to woe ! 

" So warned the Goddess, ere aloft through Heaven 930 
" Her swan-drawn chariot rose : — but fiery youth 
" And prudent counsel never were at one. 
" That very time it chanced that from his lair 
" The questing pack had roused a grim old boar, 
" Whom, as from covert forth he broke, the son 935 

" Of Cinyras with arrow sidelong-aimed 
" Struck in the flank. With foamy jaws, distort 
" By rage and agony, the monster wrenched 
" Bed with his blood the weapon from the wound, 



348 THE SONG OF ORPHEUS. [Book X. 

" And turned; and furious charged the flying boy 940 

" Too late to flight addressed, and — all his tusk 

" Sheathed in his groin — hurled lifeless to the ground ! 

" Far off the Goddess knew that dying shriek, 

" And turned, and urged her snowy swans, and sped 

" Too late to aid, — descending but to see 945 

" Eathed in its blood her lover's mangled corse, — 

" And frantic from her chariot sprang, and tore 

" Her hair and rent her robe, and passionate 

" Beat on her guiltless bosom, for that deed 

" The pitiless Fates upbraiding: — ' Yet not all 950 

" ' Ye take !' she cried — l not all ! Thou shalt not lack 

" ' Adonis, such eternal monument 

" ' Of Love as Love can give ! The annual pomp 

" ' Of funeral-rite shall mourn thee, and my grief 

" ' Be year by year commemorate and renewed! 955 

" ' Ay, and from this thy blood a flower shall bloom ! 

" ' Had Proserpine of old the power to change 

" ' A rival to the herb that bears the name 

" ' Of Menthe yet, and may not Venus now 

" ' Unblamed transform Adonis to a flower? ' — 960 

" She said, — and o'er the life-stream ebbing yet 

" Flung odorous nectar-drops: — and — like a pool 

" With flashing bubbles flecked by sudden shower, — 

" Sprinkled with that celestial juice, the blood 

" To simmer seemed, and in a brief hour's space 965 

" Put forth a flower, with colour like its own, 

" Deep-glowing as the hue that underlies 

" The tough pomegranate's rind: — but brief of date 

" And grace, frail-blossomed, and by every breath 

" Light-scattered of the Winds that give it name." 970 



THE 



METAMORPHOSES 



OF 



PUBLIUS OVIDIUS NASO 



BOOK XL 






THE METAMORPHOSES. 



BOOK XI. 

I. So as the Thracian Bard the rocks and beasts 
And crowding forests drew, with dulcet charm 
Of blended string and voice, to list his lay, — 
From a near hill-top's height Ciconia's dames, 
A maddened rout, — their frenzied bosoms clad 5 

With loose-girt hide of tiger or of pard, — 
Espied him, and surrounded. And one tossed 
Her tresses to the breeze : — " Is this " — she shrieked — 
" The wretch who dares to scorn our sex?" — and hurled 
Her thyrsus in his face: — the weapon, blunt 10 

With vine-leaves wreathed, made only bruise, not wound. 
And then another flung a stone, that, checked 
By the song's sweetness, paused in middle air 
And at the singer's feet innocuous fell, 
As asking pardon for so dire offence. 1 5 

Then fast and fierce, as though Erinnys fired 
Their breasts, unmeasured poured the missile shower, 
And still the wondrous magic of the song 
Baffled the tempest, till the brazen blare 



352 THE DEATH OF ORPHEUS. [Book XL 

Of Berecynthian trump and cymbal-clang 20 

And shriek and howl of Maenad-frenzy drowned 

Its music, and, un-spelled, the hailing stones 

Blushed with the Minstrel's blood. ~Noi rested there 

Their fury, but on beast and bird and snake — 

(The circling audience of that theatre 25 

Bapt with the song — ) fell indiscriminate 

With slaughter. Then upon the Bard they swarmed, — 

As round the bird of Night the smaller fowl 

Swarm clamorous, ere the twilight caught abroad, — 

Or in the morning-Circus round the stag 30 

Closes the yelping pack. The thyrsus, wreathed 

For holier use with tendrils of the vine, 

And stones, and clods, and branches torn from trees 

Supplied them weapons; and, lest deadlier arms 

Their rage should lack, hard by, it chanced, a gang 35 

Of sturdy peasants through the stubborn glebe 

With tug of straining oxen drove the share, 

Bidging the ordered furrow for the seed; 

Who, as that frantic rout they saw, their toil 

Affrighted fled, and flying left bestrewn 40 

With spade, and rake, and hoe, the abandoned field. 

These seized the furious troop, and from the heads 

Of the slain oxen mangled tore the horns, 

And, backward bounding to their bloody work, 

Set on the Bard, and, suppliant as he clasped 45 

His hands, and raised in impotent appeal 

The voice whose magic ne'er till now was vain, 

With impious fury tore him, limb from limb ! 

And from those lips, ah Heaven ! whose tuneful strains 

The very rocks could thrill, and savage brutes 50 



Book XL] THE DEATH OF ORPHEUS. 353 

Soften with, sense of new-felt harmony, 
Drove forth to all the winds the fleeting soul ! 

Xo bird that wings the air, no beast that roams 
The earth, but mourned thee, Orpheus ! Thee the rocks 
Lamented, and the woods that oft entranced 5 5 

Had followed on thy song : — with heavy boughs 
Depressed the weeping trees their foliage shed; 
With their own tears the flooded rivers swelled; 
And sad, with tresses loose and sable stole, 
Went mourning all the lymphs of stream and grove. 60 

Wide-scattered lay his limbs : — but Head and Lyre 
Thy waters, Hebrus, to the Ocean bore : — 
And lo ! adown the stream the floating harp 
Made plaintive music, and the lifeless lips 
Yet vocal, murmuring low with plaintive dirge, 65 

Woke plaintive Echo from the answering banks, 
Till Ocean from its native flood received 
The freight, and washed it to the Lesbian shores. 
There, stranded on Methynma's beach, and dank 
With dripping brine, a venomous serpent found 7 o 

The head, and would have gorged; — but Phoebus saw 
And with late succour came, and, ere his fangs 
Closed on the feast, with ravenous maw distent 
And gaping, smote the reptile into stone. 

But downward, rapt through Earth, the parting Ghost t 
To Hades sped, and threading, not unknown, 76 

That darksome path twice-traversed, sought the place 
Of happier souls, and in its greedy arms 
Clasped once again its loved Eurydice. 
There roam they, ne'er to part: — or by her side 80 

z 



354 THE STORY OF MIDAS. [Book XL 

He moves, or follows now or now precedes 
Her consort-shade, nor fears to look behind. 

II. But, sorrowing for the Bard who hymned his praise, 
Lyoeus with no tardy vengeance smote 
Those guilty dames of Thrace; and, in the woods 85 

Yet as they roamed, to earth their fettered feet 
Fast-rooted, and with downward curve and point 
Their sprouting toes drove fibrous through the soil. 
And, as a bird, new conscious of restraint, 
Trapped in some crafty fowler's treacherous snare, 90 

With piteous fluttering pants and plaintive cry, 
And, struggling for release, but faster binds 
The tangling meshes round its prisoned shank, — 
So each, as cleaving to the soil she felt 
Her heavier foot, in sudden terror strove 95 

To fly and strove in vain : — the hampering root 
Held fast the sole and barred the elastic spring. 
Down looks she, and astounded seeks in vain 
Or toe or foot : — a barky crust alone 

She sees, that o'er her slender ankles creeps ; — 1 00 

And, with despairing palm upon her thigh 
Smiting, smites only wood ! Wood grows she all, — 
Bosom and shoulders harden, and, outspread 
From the trunk's either side, her stiffening arms 
Seem very boughs, and are the boughs they seem! 105 



rith 



III. IV. Y. Nor so appeased was Bacchus, — but, wit 
choir 
Of gentler votaries girt, the region's self 
Deserting, passed where by the vine-clad slopes 



Book XL] THE STORY OF MIDAS. 355 

Of his own Tmolus winds Pactolus' wave, 

Untinged as yet with gold, and for its wealth no 

Of sands unenvied of its neighbour streams. 

Of all his train Silenus only lacked, 
Whom, as behind he lagged, with years or wine 
Keeling, or both, and ivy-garlanded, 

A band of Phrygian hinds had seized and dragged 115 

Before their Monarch, Midas, — in all lore 
Expert of Bacchic rite and mystery, — 
Whilonie by Orpheus and Eumolpus taught 
Wisest of Thrace and Athens. At a glance 
The friend and comrade of the God he knew; 120 

And twice five jovial days and nights twice five 
An honoured guest in revel held the Sire, 
And on the eleventh morn, when Lucifer 
Before him drove the starry flock of Heaven, 
With jocund convoy o'er the Lydian bounds 125 

The truant Elder to his Pupil bore. 
Glad for the Sire restored, the grateful God 
For guerdon bade the Phrygian name and have 
What wish he would, — nor knew how thoughtless greed 
Could mar and useless make so fair a boon. 130 

" Grant," quoth the eager King, " whate'er I touch 
" May turn to gold!" — And that pernicious gift 
So pledged the Godhead granted, sad at heart 
To find the fool lack wit for wiser choice. 
Delighted with the evil boon the King 135 

Departed, and, its virtue hot to prove, 
Touched trying this and that, and, scarce his sense 
Believing, from a roadside ilex plucked 
A jutting branch, and lo ! the branch was gold ! 



356 THE STORY OF MIDAS. [Book XL 

A stone lie lifted, and the lifted stone 140 

Paled into gold ; — lie touched a clod, the clod 

A yellow ingot glowed ; — the ripening ears 

Of harvest hardened golden in his hands ; — 

As from the orchard of the Hesperides 

Fresh plucked, the apple that he gathered shone : — 145 

He leaned against a column, and with gold 

Coated the burnished shaft : — he stooped to lave 

His hands, and glittering from his fingers streamed 

Such golden shower as that which slipped of old 

From Danae's clasping palms. 'Twas boundless wealth, 

Beyond all hope, all count! A golden world, 151 

At will his own ! — And now the banquet-board 

With viand and with cate the nimble slaves 

Spread plenteous for their lord, and to the feast 

Joyous he comes : — Why, what is this % — He breaks 155 

A loaf, and, as he breaks it, in his hands 

The kindly gift of Ceres turns to gold ! 

The flesh he strives to chew, between his jaws 

Hardened to gold, defies his baffled teeth ! 

And the pure lymph that with the nobler juice 160 

Of Bacchus, giver of that fatal gift, 

He mingles, chokes his heaving gorge, and drips 

And dribbles from his lips in fluid gold ! 

Stunned with new sense of that unheard-of woe, — 

Eich beyond hope and wretched past despair, — 165 

Loathing the wealth he cannot choose but coin, — 

Cursing the boon that but an hour ago 

He prayed for, — stood the wretch, — his hungry maw 

Unfed, his fevered gullet parched with thirst, 

Starving, — with torment not unmerited 170 



Book XL] THE STORY OF MIDAS. 357 

Of golden victual mocked and golden drink ! 

Then raising high his splendid arms, he spread 

His hands to Heaven: — "I sinned! I sinned!" he cried. 

" Be merciful, Lyceus, and forgive 

" The sin, and free me from this glittering curse ! " 175 

The kindly Godhead heard the fault confessed, 
^"or loth to cancel what but for the faith 
Of promise pledged he ne'er had ratified, 
Eevoked the boon, and set the suppliant free. 
" Yet this," he said, " ere of this golden-taint 180 

" Self-sought thou purge thee throughly, must thou do : — 
" Seek out the stream that flows by Sardis' walls ; 
" And, facing still its downward course, ascend 
" The steepy hills that bank it, till thou reach 
" Its source, and where the fount flows freest plunge 185 
" Thy head, and cleanse thy body and thy guilt ! " 

Glad to the ordered waters fared the King, 
And, as he bathed him, dyed the flood, and lo ! 
The stream ran yellow and the man was clean ! 
Impregnate ever with that antique seed 1 90 

Teem all the bordering fields, and every clod 
That drinks the wave is starred with sparkling gold ! 

Thenceforward, — sick at sight and thought of wealth, 
Of towns, of men, — amid the hills and woods 
And forest-caves where haunts the Silvan Pan 195 

He wandered, — cured in body, but in soul 
Unchanged, and still the fool he was before, 
And doomed once more his folly's tax to pay. 
For, as one morn it chanced, where Tmolus towers 
In broad precipitous height, — and, (Sardis here, 200 

There small Hypsepe nestling at his feet, — ) 



358 THE STORY OF MIDAS. [Book XL 

Looks far athwart trie seas, with, instrument 

Of oaten reed and yellow wax compact 

Piping sat Pan, and with his rustic notes 

So charmed the thronging Nymphs that in conceit 205 

He passed Apollo's self; and, challenging 

The Lord of Music to the unequal strife, 

Bade ancient Tmolus judge betwixt the twain. 

High o'er his forests, where his level top 
Gave unobstructed audience, took his place 210 

The Mountain- God: — an oaken chaplet wreathed 
His reverend locks, and o'er his arching brows 
With pendent acorns played. To Pan he looked : — 
" The Judge is ready " — quoth he — " sing thou first 
" Shepherd-God!" and on his rustic pipes 215 

Pan blew ; and Midas — for amid the throng 
Stood Midas — raptured heard the barbarous strain. 
To Phoebus next he turned, and all his groves 
Turned with their Lord, expectant of the song. 
Crowned with Parnassian laurel, Tyrian-stoled 220 

With robe whose trailing purple swept the ground 
Stood forth Apollo : — in his dexter hand 
The plectrum, in his left the lyre he held, 
With gem and Indian ivory fair inlaid ; — 
In attitude and gesture manifest Lord 225 

And Master of his art ; and, as he swept 
With skilful touch the strings, old Tmolus heard 
Entranced, and with no doubting sentence bade 
The vanquished pipe confess the victor lyre : — 
And all, save one, who heard the just decree 230 

Applauded: — Midas only challenged loud 
For partial the award. The Delian heard, 






Book XL] THE BUILDING OF TROY. 359 

And, wrathful, of their human shape deprived 
His tasteless ears : — erect they rose, in length 
Enormous, shaggy, aud with flexile root 235 

Twirled uncouth on the pivot of his skull. 
So where he sinned he suffered : — in all else 
A Man, but monstrous with an Ass's ears ! 
Awhile a turban's purple served to hide 
The ludicrous shame ; — but soon the tonsor-slave 240 

Whose scissors trimmed his locks the secret saw 
And burned to tell ; till, — dreading to divulge, 
Yet impotent to keep it, — forth he went, 
And by the river's margin dug unseen, 
And, to the hollow stooping, whispered low 245 

The story of his lord's prodigious ears, 
And filled again the pit, and 'neath the clods 
Stamped down the tale, and silent went his way. 
When lo ! a marvel ! — from the spot upsprang 
A clump of waving reeds that, as it grew, 250 

Betrayed him, murmuring to the summer winds 
The buried words — " Midas hath Ass's ears ! " 



VI. So venged, from Tmolus Phoebus soared aloft 
Through Heaven, and by the Ocean-strait surnamed 
Of Nephelei'an Helle — to his left 255 

Sigceum, to his right the Rhcetian cape — 
Beside the shrine of Panomphaean Jove 
Alighted, 'mid the realms of Ilus' son 
Laomedon, what time the monarch traced 
The lines of rising Troy, — a vast design 260 

Of labour infinite and countless cost. 
There, with that other God whose trident rules 



360 STORY OF PELEUS AND THETIS. [Book XI. 

The turbulent Seas, a mortal form he took 

And toiling for a labourer's plighted wage 

Wrought at the Phrygian's walls. The work was done : — 

The City stood : — and straight the faithless King 266 

Forswore the compact and withheld the meed. 

" This shalt thou rue ! " quoth Neptune, and in wrath 

Dashed all his billows on the niggard shore, 

And in the briny deluge whelmed the wealth 270 

Of husbandry, and made the Land a Sea. 

Nor so avenged content, the Monarch's child 

Bound to a rock, a sea-born monster's prey, 

Exposed he doomed to perish : — but with help 

And rescue came Alcides, and the maid 275 

Set free, and from her Father claimed the steeds 

To pay that service pledged : and in his turn 

Defrauded of his meed, indignant stormed 

The walls and sacked the doubly-perjured town. 

Stout comrade in that warfare, Telamon, 280 

NTot ill repaid, Hesione received 

For prize : — his brother Peleus elder-born 

Long since was famous with a Goddess-bride, 

Of that alliance prouder than of birth : — 

Enough of grandsons boasted birth from Jove; — 285 

But none, save he, had Goddess won for wife. 

VII. Prophetic thus to Thetis long ago 
Had Nereus spoken : — " Goddess of the Sea ! 
" Be wooed, be wed, be Mother of a Son 
" In deeds and fame superior to his Sire! " 290 

Jove heard the counsel, and, the flame that burned 
In his own bosom stifling, lest himself 



Book XL] STORY OF PELEUS AND THETIS. 361 

Should give the world a greater than Himself, 

The dangerous daughter of the wave forbore, 

And to his grandson Peleus, elder-born 295 

Of (Eacus, resigned the suit that else 

Himself had gladlier pressed, — and bade the youth 

Be bold and win the Sea-Nymph to his arms. 

A bay there is in Western Thessaly 
That bow-like curves the shore, with jutting peaks 300 
At entrance flanked, and, but for lack of depth, 
A haven perfect-planned. The shallow tide 
Far inland ripples to a sandy beach, — 
Where whoso treads may pass unclogged and leave 
No foot-mark, — solid, — clear from tangling weed, — 305 
With myrtle-thicket fringed. A grotto scooped 
By Art or Nature, — haply more by Art, — 
Stood in its midst, where oft for cool repose 
The Nymph unrobed would guide her dolphin-steed. 
There slumbering Peleus caught her, and, all prayer 310 
Of gentle wooing wasted, forceful clasped 
With ruder arms the Goddess, and had won, 
But with her wonted arts to various shapes 
Shifting she baffled him ; — a bird she strove 
To soar, — the bird he held ; — a senseless tree 315 

She stood, and to the senseless trunk he clung • — 
Last roared, a brindled tigress : — and, alarmed 
The youth his hold let go, — the Nymph was gone ! 

Then with libation poured upon the wave, 
And fibrous entrails of the flock, and fume 320 

Of fragrant incense, to the Ocean-Gods 
His prayer he made ; and through the parting flood 
Carpathian Proteus rose : — " Be resolute, 



362 STORY OF D^EDALION. [Book XL 

" (Eacides ! thy Bride shall yet be won ! 
" "Watch thou, when next the grotto's coolness lulls 325 
" Her sense to slumber, and with ready net 
" Upon her steal, and mesh her, — hold her fast! 
" Whatever of her hundred shapes she try, 
" Imprisoned keep her, till her proper form 
" Resumed she wear." So spake the sinking Seer, 330 
And o'er his closing accents closed the flood. 
By this had Titan to the western wave 
Sloped his descending wheels ; — the day was worn, — 
When, fair arising from the flood, her cave 
Ajad wonted couch the JSTereid sought and scarce 335 

Had slept, when round her form the ready net 
Of Peleus closed. Each novel shape was tried 
In vain : — the tangling meshes powerless held 
Her prisoned limbs. Then, conscious of defeat, 
"Heaven helps thee," — sighed she, — "'tis to Heaven I 
yield!" 340 

And blushing to her captor stood confessed 
Thetis in all her charms. The hero flung 
Around the beauteous prize his raptured arms, 
And with the great Achilles filled his Bride. 

VIII. Thrice happy in his wife and in his son, 345 

Lacking no earthly bliss, — but that the guilt 
Of murdered Phocus weighed upon his soul, — 
Had Peleus lived. That stain of brother's blood 
An exile from his home and father-land 
To Trachis drove him forth, where Ceyx ruled 350 

A peaceful Monarch o'er a willing realm, 
The son of Phosphor, and as Phosphor fair 






Book XL] STORY OF D^iDALION. 363 

To look upon, though, now unlike himself, 
And wan with weeping for a brother lost. 
Weary with care and travel thither came 355 

The wanderer and — (what wealth of flock and herd 
He owned left pasturing in a neighbour vale — ) 
"With scanty following passed the gates, and garbed 
In suppliant guise sought audience of the King, 
And told his name and race. His crime alone 360 

He hid, and, colouring with some specious tale 
His journey's cause, of Ceyx' grace implored 
Some spot assigned him or in town or field 
Where he and his might dwell. The kindly King- 
Made answer : — " No inhospitable realm 365 
" Is this " — he said — " we rule : — the humblest here 
" May shelter claim and have his claim allowed. 
" For thee, the name thou bear'st, thy grandsire Jove, 
" Were else sufficient plea. Waste thou in suit 
" Nor time nor words : look round thee on our land! 370 
" Choose where thou wilt: — 'tis thine. I would thy choice 
"Were of a happier soil!" — He said, and wept. 
Much marvelling, Peleus and his train besought 
That sorrow's cause. " Ye think perchance" — he said — 
" Yon Hawk, the swooping spoiler of the skies, 375 
" That scares all fowl, was ever feathered thus : — 
" Whilome that bird was Man ! Bold then as now, 
" Impetuous, fierce in war, and for all deeds 
" Of violence apt, Daedalion, like myself 
" Sprung of that starry Sire, who from her couch 380 
" Aurora wakes and latest quits the skies. 
" For me, my joy is Peace, Peace beautiful 
" With wedlock bliss and happy hearth and home : — 



364 STORY OF DiEDALION. [Book XI. 

" His sole delight was War. Ye see him chase 

" Yon scattering doves 1 — So erst he chased his kind, 385 

" And Kings and Peoples trembled where he came. 

" One Daughter had he, Chione, a prize 

" Of thousand suitors sought, and passing fair 

" With all the budding charms of years twice seven. 

" Phoebus and Hermes, as it fell, chance-met, — 390 

" (This from Cyllenius, that from Delphos bound, — ) 

" Together saw the Maid, and burned alike 

" To win. The Day-God till the night deferred 

" His amorous attack : — the hotter Son 

" Of Maia with his soporific wand, 395 

" Impatient, touched the Maiden's lips, and lulled 

" In magic slumber forced her as she slept. 

" Later, when midnight spangled Heaven with stars, 

" Came Phoebus, and in beldame's form disguised 

" Her chamber won, and snatched a bliss forestalled. 400 

"Maturing months rolled on, and in due time 

" Twins bore she to the twain : — to Mercury 

" Autolycus, in every trick and wile 

" Expert, and subtle with his Father's craft 

" To make or white seem black or black seem white : — 

" Philammon to Apollo, wide renowned 406 

" For sweetest song and softest touch of lyre. 

" That double motherhood, — that double love 

" Of Gods, — her Father's fame and lineage traced 

" Third from great Jove himself, — what blessing came 

" Of these? — To her, as erst to many else, 411 

" Her glory was her bane : — She dared dispute 

" With Heaven the palm of beauty, and decry 

" Diana's self for over-rated charms. 









Book XL] STORY OF D^EDALIOX. 365 

" Direful and deadly "woke the Goddess' wrath: — 415 

" ' My face not pleases thee !' she said — ' my hand 

" i Perchance may please thee better!' And her bow 

" She bent, and loosed a shaft that through the tongue 

" The boaster pierced ! — Word spake she never more, 

" But with convulsive effort, choked with blood, 420 

" Struggled for speech, and vainly struggling died. 

" I, quelling for my Xlece's hapless fate 

" My proper sorrow, strove — alas ! in vain — 

" My brother to console. As hears the rock 

" The murmur of the fretting wave, he heard 425 

" My idle comfort ; prone, with piteous wail 

" Clasping his slaughtered child : and when the pyre 

" "Was kindled, thrice and once he rushed to fling 

" Himself amid the flames, and thrice and once 

" Eepulsed, with sudden bound — as maddened leaps 430 

" Some heifer hornet-stung — he turned and fled ! 

" Eight up Parnassus' side, where path was none, 

" He sped : — (even then, methought, his feet had wings, 

" Such more than human swiftness left behind 

" Our slow pursuit : — ) and from its topmost peak 435 

" Sprang headlong, bent on Death ! Apollo saw 

" The leap, and pitying, light with sudden wings 

" In middle air upheld him, to a bird 

" Transformed with curving beak and hooked claws. 

" Bold as of yore, and strong beyond his size, 440 

" Bapacious, merciless, a Hawk he soars, 

" The terror of the feathered race, and fills 

" The orphaned skies with sorrow like his own!" 

IX. So ended scarce the Son of Lucifer 



366 THE WOLF TURNED TO MARBLE. [Book XL 

His brother's wondrous tale, when, hot with haste 445 

And breathless, in the hall Anetor burst, 

The Phocian guardian of the Exile's herd : — 

" Peleus! Peleus!" gasped he — "terrible news 

" I bring thee of disaster !" — " Speak it out, 

" Whate'er it be!" the Hero said : — the Lord 450 

Of Trachis anxious bent to hear the tale. 

" What time the Sun — he said — in midmost Heaven 

" Looked back and forward o'er an equal space, 

" Down to the shore thy way-worn herds I drove. 

" Some, on the sands for very weariness 455 

" Reposed gazed placid o'er the watery plain : — 

" Some wandered here and there : — some stronger plunged 

" In the refreshing flood, their horny brows 

" Alone above the surface visible. 

" Not inland far an antique Temple flings 460 

" Its shadow on the wave : — nor gay with gold 

" Nor fair with marble, on primaeval trunks 

" Of some old forest pillared, consecrate — 

" (So said at least a Fisher on the beach 

" That in the noontide spread his nets to dry — ) 465 

" To Nereus and his Nymphs. A willow-copse 

" Marshy with refuse of the ebbing flood 

" Fringes the shore. A Wolf of monstrous size 

" Within hath made his den, and terrible 

" With hideous howling frights the neighbour fields. 470 

" Sudden, his ravenous jaws with foam and blood 

" Be-sprent, red lightning flashing from his eyes, 

" Hungry and furious sprang he from his lair, 

" But furious more than hungry; — what he seized 

tl He stayed not to devour, but all around 475 



Book XL] THE WOLF TURNED TO MARBLE. 367 

" O'erthrown and mangled strewed the worried kine, 

" And of my helpers two or three, their charge 

" Defending, tore and slew. The rippling tide 

" Was fringed with crimson, and the echoing shore 

" Rang with the hello wings of the frightened herd. 480 

" But rouse thee ! linger not ! each moment swells 

" Thy damage: — arm thy following, and, while yet 

u A remnant rests to save, with gathered force 

" Assail we all the foe ! " — He said: — but less 

Recked Peleus of the loss than of its cause: — 485 

His conscious guilt in that calamity 

The vengeance of the orphaned JNereid knew, 

Appeasing so with funeral sacrifice 

Her murdered Phocus' Shade. Loud on his train 

Called Ceyx — "Arm! arm all! and follow me!" 490 

And straight had led them forth : — when, from her bower 

Roused by the sudden tumult, terror-pale, 

In presence rushed Alcyone, his Queen, — 

Her streaming tresses o'er her shoulders flung 

Loose from the unfinished braid, — and clinging round 

His neck, with passionate tear and prayer besought 496 

Him send some other leader, nor himself 

Too rashly venturous risk two lives in one ! 

To whom (Eacides : — " Calm, fairest Queen, 

" These fears that well become thy wifely love! 500 

" Enough thy husband's ready-proffered aid 

'•' Binds me to thanks; — but not in arms I meet 

" This foe : — not force but prayer must pacify 

" The Ocean's angry Gods ! " A Tower was near, 

Whose beacon-flame far blazing o'er the Seas 505 

Safe homeward guided many a weary sail : — 



$68 STORY OF CEYX AND ALCYONE. [Book XL 

There mounting, sadly on his slaughtered herd 

He gazed, where yet the spoiler, red with gore 

From jaw to tail, made havoc, — and his hands 

Spread seaward, and to injured Psamathe 510 

For pardon and for respite prayed, and prayed 

In vain, till Thetis, with her husband's prayers 

Blending her own, the Nymph's forgiveness won; 

And while the monster, in his bloody feast 

Yet revelling, in a heifer's mangled neck 515 

His fangs had fastened, smote him into stone ! 

Shape, size, save colour all remained : — the hue 

Of marble only shewed the brute was now 

No more a wolf, nor longer to be feared. 

But in that realm long resting-place the Fates 520 

To Peleus not allowed. To Thessaly 
And the Magnesian plains the Exile bent 
His wandering steps : — and there with lustral rite 
Acastus purged the fratricidal stain. 

X. But Ceyx, by his brother's wondrous fate 525 

Perplexed and that new marvel late ensued, 
For counsel of the sacred Oracles 
That comfort mortal doubt, the Clarian God 
Eesolved to seek : — for with his Phlegyan hordes 
Phorbas to Delphos dangerous made the way: — 530 

But first his loving spouse, Alcyone, 
Made partner of his project. Chilled at heart 
With terror, pale as boxen-leaf, in tears 
Dissolved she heard him; — thrice she strove for speech, 
And thrice in weeping drowned it, — then at last 535 

Broken with sobs her fond sad protest made : — 






Book XL] STORY OF CEYX AND ALCYONE. 369 

" All Ceyx ! dearest Lord ! What fault of mine 

" Hath so estranged the loving tenderness 

" Thou once did'st bear me, that Alcyone 

" Thus unconcerned thou leavest, and alone 540 

" This long and perilous voyage dar'st essay 1 

" Alone — perchance so happier — not with me ! 

" Go then; — hut safe — methinks thou may'st — by land! 

" Leave me to sorrow only, not to fear : — 

" Let grief at least lack terror. 'Tis the Sea 545 

" I dread, — yon dismal Deep whose very thought 

" Appals me. Yesterday I saw its shores 

" Heaped high with wreck. I shudder as I pass 

" Those frequent corseless cenotaphs engraved 

" With names of drowned men ! Ah ! think not thou 550 

" The more to 'scape that in his dungeon-caves 

" Hippotades, my Sire, hath power to chain 

" The winds and calm the waters at his will : — 

" Unloose them once, and all is theirs ! Alike, 

" Abandoned to their fury, Sea and Land 555 

" They sweep, and vexing Heaven itself with shock 

" Strike the red lightning from the clashing clouds. 

" Long since, a child within my Father's halls, 

" I learned to know them, and, the more I knew, 

" The more to dread. — Can nothing move thy soul 1 — 

" Art thou still fixed to go 1 — Then, dearest Lord, 561 

" Share we the danger: — let me go with thee: — 

" So shall I fear at least but what I see, 

" Nor quake at fancied perils : — side by side 

" Bear we what comes, and o'er the seas be borne ! " 565 

So, weeping, she entreated ; nor unmoved 
Her star-born Husband heard, nor grieving less 

2a 



370 STORY OF CEYX AND ALCYONE. [Book XI. 



To part than she ; but, obstinate bent to take 

By sea his purposed way, and resolute 

Alone to dare the danger, nor expose 570 

His spouse to peril, with all argument 

Of comfort strove, and reason, urged in vain, 

Her timid soul to cheer, till from her love 

One plea at last, consent reluctant won. 

" To me too, as to thee, too long will seem 575 

" Each hour that holds us parted ! but, so Fate 

" Not hinders, by my Father's fires I swear, 

" Ere twice yon Moon her perfect orb completes 

" Again I will be here ! " — and, soothing so 

With hope and frequent pledge of quick return 580 

Her terrors, bade his sailors to the beach 

His galley haul, and, with all needful gear 

Of store and tackle fitted, launch to sea. 

She saw, and, at the sight renewed, her fears 
Prophetic shook her: — weeping, round her Lord 585 

With many a wild embrace and kiss she clung, 
And, scarce for utter misery faltering forth 
The last " Farewell," sank swooning on the strand. 
And Ceyx yet had lingered, — but by this 
Aboard the lusty rowers double-ranked 590 

Bent to their oars, and with well-ordered stroke 
The seething billows furrowed. Then, too late 
Revived, she rose, and through a mist of tears 
High on the poop beheld her husband stand 
Waving fond gesture of farewell, and waved 595 

Her sad reply : — and as the distance dimmed 
His features, followed still with straining gaze 
The lessening hull, and, when the hull was lost, 



Book XL] STORY OF CEYX AND ALCYONE. 37 1 

The sails yet visible flapping from the mast, 

Till faded all alike : — then heavily 600 

Her chamber sought, and on her vacant couch 

Forlorn down flung her, so but minded more 

Of what that couch and what that chamber lacked, 

And more dissolved in weeping. Far away 

Now in mid-sea the galley rode ; the breeze 605 

Amid the cordage whistled shrill; the oars 

No longer needed idle by the side 

TTere hung; — the yards braced top-mast high; — all breadth 

Of canvas set to catch the favouring gale. 

N"igh midway on her course the good ship sped 610 

Far now from either port : — when, as the night 

Fell round her, whitening all the waves with foam 

In sudden squall raved Eurus. Loudly rang 

The master's shout — " Aloft, men ! strike all sail ! 

" Furl close ! " Amid the roar of wind and wave 615 

Inaudible he shouted; — but the crew 

Unbidden to their duty sprang : — the oars 

These shipped, — the bulwarks these made fast, — these loosed 

Below the flapping sails, and these aloft 

Furled to the yards, — this baled the streaming deck, 620 

And back to Ocean gave his proper flood. 

So as confused they toiled, more fiercely raged 

The tempest's wrath ; each warring wind of Heaven 

Let loose to madness lashed the foaming Seas. 

Helpless and paralysed the master stood, 625 

Nor knew himself, nor knew his course, nor what 

To order, what forbid ; — all nerve, all skill, 

In utter terror lost, and in the din 

Bewildered of the shouting crew, the creak 



372 STORY OF CEYX AND ALCYONE. [Book XL 

Of straining shroud and plank, the roar of waves 630 

Below, and thunder of the Heavens ahove. 

Billow on billow surging mountainous 

Confounded sky and sea, the very clouds 

Drenching with brine, now yellow thick with sand 

Stirred from the fathomless depths, now dark with dye 

Black as of Styx, now white with sheeting foam. 636 

With answering change the bark of Trachis fared : — 

Now, high to Heaven on some huge roller's ridge 

Upheaved, as from a mountain-top she saw 

Below her, like the very pit of Hell, 640 

The ocean-valley yawn ; — now, in the trough 

Deep-pent below the over-arching flood, 

As though from nethermost Hell looked up to Heaven. 

As when War's shattering engines on the walls 

Of some doomed fortress thunder shock on shock, 645 

The resonant billows lashed her groaning sides ! 

Wild as the hunted Lion, when at bay 

Desperate against the circling spears he hurls 

His headlong bulk, — so leaped with fierce assault 

Upon the ship the tempest-maddened waves, 650 

AH fence of bulwark topping. Bolt and plank 

Started o'er-strained; and through the yawning seams, 

Eeft of their pitchy compact, rushed the flood. 

And lo ! the clouds their sluices oped and loosed 

New deluge : — seemed it now as on the Sea 655 

All Heaven descended, now as to the Skies 

AH Ocean swelling mounted; — flood with flood 

Upper and nether, meeting, blending, drenched 

The streaming bark. N"o fire of friendly star 

In all the welkin gleamed; above, around, 660 



Book XL] STORY OF CEYX AND ALCYONE. 373 

Darkness and Tempest leagued made double night, — 

Unbroken gloom, — save when with fitful flash 

The lightning for a moment seemed to set 

The very waves a-flame. And now the Surge 

Swept bodily o'er the ship. As, in the storm 665 

Of some beleaguered city, towering high 

O'er all the rest, himself a host, the attack 

One stalwart warrior leads, and, oft-repulsed 

Eut sworn to win the glory of the day, 

Surmounts the breach and with his single arm 670 

Sweeps way for following thousands, — so, the host 

Of eager billows battering at her sides 

O'ertopping, awful, vast, the Decuman-wave 

Bushed to the assault, and to her very hold 

Swooping in fatal cataract, stormed and sacked 675 

The citadel of the spent and yielding bark. 

"Within triumphant, mad without to share 

The triumph, roared the waters. All the ship 

Shook like some trembling town, when half the siege 

Within swarms master through her streets, and half, 680 

Without persistent mines her tottering walls. 

Skill, courage, hope, were lost : — on every surge 

Seemed imminent Death to ride. One weeping stood, — 

One paralysed with terror : — this begrudged 

The happier fate of those who die ashore 685 

"With decent rite entombed : — this spread his hands 

Imploring to the Heavens he could not see, 

And with vain prayer for pity and for help 

Besought the unhearing Gods. All memories 

Of home, and kindred, sire, and wife, and pledge 690 

Of wedded love, whatever each had left 



374 STORY OF CEYX AND ALCYONE. [Book XI. 

Of dearest, thronged on each. In Ceyx' soul 

Is hut one thought, — upon his lips one name, — 

Alcyone, but late for absence mourned, 

In absence now his comfort. Tain his eyes 695 

To Trachis yet would turn and fix on home 

Their latest gaze \ — but where lies Trachis now 

Alas ! he knows not ; — with such madness boils 

The blinding sea, such double night of storm 

And pitchy cloud obscures the guiding skies. 700 

Now crashing in the tempest's swirl the mast 

Goes by the board, — the shattered rudder parts ! 

High revels o'er its spoil the conquering surge, 

As scornful of the meaner waves that heave 

And curl below: — and, — with no lighter shock 705 

Than if, uprooted from its base, the mass 

Of Pindus or of Ossa, giant-hurled, 

Fell sheer in middle-sea, — in cataract 

Enormous plunging, many a fathom deep 

Whelms the o'er-weighted galley ! Sucked adown 710 

In the fierce whirl of waters, never more 

To rise, sank most. Amid the stronger few, 

On spars and tossing fragments of the wreck 

Sustained, yet floated Ceyx : — he who late 

A sceptre grasped was fain to clutch an oar, 715 

Gasping for help to Sire and Sire-in-law, 

Appeal, alas ! unheard. But more than all 

One name was on the swimmer's lips, one thought, 

One memory at his heart, — Alcyone, 

His wife ! " Ah yet " — so prays he — " may those 

waves 720 

" Waft to her sight his corse, where friendly hands 






Book XL] STORY OF CEYX AND ALCYONE. 375 

"With pious sepulture may tomb his bones! " 

" Alcyone ! " at every breathing-space 

Eings wailing o'er the waters ! And, as curved 

In black tremendous arch, one giant-wave 725 

Breaks fatal, whelming deep the hapless head 

Never again to rise, " Alcyone ! " 

In stifled murmur bubbles through the flood. 

Darkling that night, and all unlike himself, 
Forbid to quiet the skies, lay Lucifer, 730 

And veiled in densest clouds his sorrowing head. 

Ignorant meanwhile of all her woe, the child 
Of .ZEolus was counting days and nights, 
Whiled with fond labours of the loom to grace 
Her Lord returned, to deck her own fair form 735 

For that sweet hour of welcome, — ne'er to come ! 
With pious incense, heaped on every shrine 
Of Gods, but most on Juno's, for the spouse 
No longer hers, — " Oh ! speed him safe ! " she prayed, 
" Nor only safe, but true, — mine still, all mine, 740 

" By no allurement won of foreign charms 
" To hold some other dearer ! " — "Witless how 
Of all her vows that last alone was heard ! 
Such urgent suit for one past help of prayer 
Juno not longer bore, and, glad to free 745 

Her shrine from touch of those death-tainted hands, 
To Iris called : — " Go! trustiest messenger," 
She said — " and quick to Somnus' drowsy halls 
" Speed thee, and bid him show Alcyone 
" Her drowned Ceyx' image, and in dreams 750 

" Tell her the truth." She spake, and Iris donned 
Her robe of thousand colours, and, through Heaven 



376 STORY OF CEYX AND ALCYONE. [Book XL 



Arcliing her radiant journey, sought the rock 
That shades the dwelling of the Lord of Sleep. 

Fast by Cimmeria's bounds the torpid home 755 

Of Sonmus stands : — a cavernous hollow scooped 
Deep in a mountain-side, where never ray 
Of morn, or noon, or eve, with cheerful gleam 
Of sunlight finds an entrance : — mist and fog 
From the dank soil upsteaming load the air, 760 

And all the spot a doubtful twilight shrouds. 
Never the crested bird of morn awakes 
Aurora from her couch : — no watch-dog there, — 
Or goose, more wakeful than the watch-dog's self, — 
The silence breaks: — no beast, or wild or tame, 765 

No wind-stirred forest-branch, no interchange 
Of human speech the dumb dead quiet mars, 
Unbroken, save where from the mountain's base 
A rivulet, of Lethsean virtue, purls 

With tinkling murmur o'er a pebbly bed, 770 

Inviting more to sleep. The threshold glowed 
"With scarlet wealth of poppies, and all herbs 
Of sap to brew the slumberous charms that Mght 
Extracting sprinkles o'er the day-worn World. 
No door in all the house to vex the ear 775 

With creaking hinge : — no guard, no lock, no bar 
To entrance. In the cavern's midst, reposed 
On lofty couch of ebon, piled with down 
Of black accordant plumage, sable-draped, 
His limbs relaxed in slumber, lay the God. 780 

Phantastic in a thousand mimic forms, 
Countless as ears in harvest-time, or leaves 
In summer-woods, or sands on ocean's shore, 



Book XL] STORY OF CEYX AND ALCYONE. 277 

Around Mm couched Ms subject host of Dreams. 

Light o'er the tMeshold stepped the Herald-Maid, 785 

And, from her radiant mantle as she passed 

MasMng strange glory through the sacred gloom, 

Shook from Ms torpid trance the snoring God. 

His heavy lids with effort raised, — his chin 

With frequent lapse yet nodding to his breast, — 790 

The struggling sleeper roused at last, and reared 

Upon Ms elbow saw and knew Ms Guest, 

And questioned why she came : — to whom the Maid — 

" Somnus, creation's rest ! Somnus, of Gods 

" Bemgnest Power ! Peace-giver! Bamsher 795 

" Of Care, whose balm the force of Labour's limbs 

" O'erworn refreshes for the morrow's toil, — 

" Send thou some Dream whose unsubstantial form 

" May lifelike semblance wear, and in the shape 

" Of Ceyx visit Trachis' slumbering Queen 800 

" Alcyone, and to her sense present 

" The picture of the wreck that widowed her: — 

" 'Tis Juno claims the service ! " — And, her hest 

Delivered so, she turned, nor more endured 

The cave's narcotic influence, stealing fast 805 

O'er slackening nerve and limb : — and to the skies 

Eetraced the arch that bridged her downward way. 

Straight, from his host of thousand sons, the Sire 
Of Dreams wakes Morpheus, — readiest to assume 
What form he will, deftest to simulate 810 

Feature, and voice, and gesture, wonted garb 
And wonted phrase : — No shape, save that of Man, 
He takes : — inferior semblance, beast or bird 
Or trailing serpent, 'tis another's charge 



378 STORY OF CEYX AND ALCYONE. [Book XI. 

To wear, whom Gods call Icelus, and men 815 

Phobetor : — third in rank comes Phantasus : 

A clod, a rock, a wave, a tree, whate'er 

Lacks life and soul, he seems. These three are they 

Who haunt by night the couch of Chiefs and Kings, 

While meaner ministers by meaner beds 820 

Of vulgar sleepers flit : — whoni overpassed, 

Morpheus, of all his brethren deemed alone 

Worthy Thaumantias' errand, calls the Sire 

And sends : — then, languid on his pillow lapsed, 

Seals up once more in sleep his weary eyes. 825 

Swift through the vast of darkness sped the Dream 
On noiseless pinions borne, and in brief space 
Hsemonia reaching, laid his wings aside 
And took the form of Ceyx. Deathly-pale, 
As all his blood were drained, a naked Ghost 830 

Beside the hapless widow's couch he stood. 
Dank with the briny ooze his tangled beard 
And locks seemed dripping yet, and down his cheeks 
Boiled tears in stream profuse, as o'er the bed 
He bent and spoke : — "Ah! miserable wife ! 835 

" Dost know me? — or can Death have wrought such change 
" In form and feature that Alcyone 
" Not recognises Ceyx 1 — Look on me, 
" And for thy husband see thy husband's Shade ! 
" No help, Alcyone, was in thy prayers ! 840 

" Lost am I, dead ! No longer cheat thy heart 
11 With promise of my coming ! Deep adown 
" By cloudy Auster's fury wrecked and whelmed 
" Beneath the mid iEgean lies my bark ! 
" The salt sea chokes the lips whose last vain cry 845 



Book XL] STORY OF CEYX AND ALCYONE. 379 

" Was on thy name ! — No doubtful messenger 

" I come : — no questionable tale, o'ercharged 

" By vague report, thy credence claims : — Myself, 

" Thy very drowned spouse, in presence here 

" I stand, to tell my wreck. Wake! give me tears! 850 

" Don robes of woe ! nor let my tombless Ghost 

" To empty Tartarus flit undeplored ! " 

So, with the very trick of Ceyx' voice 

And Ceyx' speaking-gesture, Morpheus spake, 

Vouching his tale with flood of truth-like tears. 855 

Moaning and sobbing yet in troubled trance 

Of slumber lay Alcyone ■ — her arms, 

Outspread to clasp the disappearing form, 

Embracing empty air : — " Stay, Ceyx, stay ! " 

She cries — " Ah ! whither would'st thou fly 1 We go 860 

" Together, thou and I ! " And so, disturbed 

By terror of the vision and the sound 

Of her own voice, whereat the household train 

Alarmed with lamp and torch the chamber throng, 

Starts from her sleep, and eager looks around 865 

For him whom now she seemed to see, and finds 

No sign, no trace, — all vacant. Then she beats 

Her cheeks, and from her bosom rends the lawn 

To bruise her whiter breast, and from her locks 

Loosed in disordered tangle reckless tears 870 

The snood, and to the foster-nurse, that asks 

What sudden grief thus passionate shakes her child, 

Shrieks frantic answer: — " Child 1 — Thou hast no child! 

" Alcyone is dead ! dead with her Lord, 

"Her Ceyx! — Spare your comfort ! Ceyx lies 875 

" Shipwrecked and drowned! But now I saw him, — saw 



380 STORY -OF CEYX AND ALCYONE. [Book XI. 

" And knew, — and with imploring arms besought 

" His vanishing form to stay: — his Shade! for Shade 

" It was too manifest — my very Lord 

" And hushand ! — though his features lacked their cheer 

" Familiar and all play and light of life. 88 1 

" Naked and pale, his dank locks dripping yet 

" With brine — unhappy ! on this very spot 

" I saw him weeping stand ! " — and round she looks 

As though some trace of what she saw but now 885 

She yet might see : — " This, this was what my soul 

" Presaging dreaded, when my prayers in vain 

" Besought thee stay, nor tempt the winds and waves ! 

" Bound as thou wert to death, thou should' st at least 

" Have let me share thy voyage ! — Happier so, 890 

" Still with thee, still beside thee, what of life 

" Eemained at least I so had lived with thee, 

" And with thee died together ! — Absent now 

" I perish : — absent toss upon the waves : — 

" Myself disparted from my better self 895 

"I drown! — More cruel than yon Sea my soul 

" Could I yet longer cling to life, or strive 

" And wrestle with such sorrow ! In such strife 

" No wrestler I ! Not thus, beloved ! thus 

" I leave thee ! Thine, to share thy fate I come ! 900 

" One monument, — if not one common urn 

" Beceives us, — yet may rise : — one Epitaph 

" Unite us yet ; and, if our bones must lie 

" Apart, at least for ever link our names ! " 

Grief choked her further utterance, and the wail, 905 
Heart-broken, died in sob and moan and sigh. 
But with the morn she sought the shore, and sad 



Book XL] STORY OF CEYX AND ALCYONE. 38 1 

"Where erst she watched his galley's lessening hull 

She stood : — 'Twas here he lingered : — hence he loosed 

Seaward his bark: — here on her lips was pressed 910 

His last fond parting kiss : — each act, each word, 

Memory recalled : — when, o'er the watery waste 

Something — she knew not what, — but human-like 

In outline, floating in the distance, caught 

Her gaze, unrecognised, — but as the tide 915 

Nearer and nearer wafted it, a corse 

Beyond all doubt perceived : — some shipwrecked man, 

Some stranger drowned : — and, by the omen moved, 

" Alas ! " she sighed — " for thee and for thy wife, 

" If any called thee husband ! " Shoreward still 920 

The waters bore it; and, as closer now 

She looked, with sudden shock of doubt her sense 

Reeled well-nigh into madness ! Now it touched 

Almost the port — known — unmistakable ! 

'Twas Ceyx! 'twas her Lord! " 'Tis he!" she shrieks, — 

Cheeks, tresses, vest, she tears, and to the corse 926 

Her tremulous hands outspreading — " Dost thou come 

" Thus, my loved lost husband, to thy wife ? " 

She cries — " Unhappy ! dost thou so return *? " 

Hard by, a mole there stood whose masonry, 930 

Stemming the first fierce onset of the waves, 
To calmer entrance quelled the wearied flood : — 
High on its mound — 'twas marvel how she could — 
She sprang, and headlong flung herself, and flew 
A Bird, with sudden wings that winnowed light 935 

The air, and skimmed the surface of the deep, 
And ever in its flight shrill manifest note 
Of sorrow twittered from a slender beak; — 



3§2 



STORY OF iESACUS. 



[Book XI. 



And, 'lighting on the dumb and pallid corse, 
Strove with her new-made wings to fold and warm 
The limbs beloved, and on the bloodless lips 
Fond frigid billing kisses seemed to press. 
Did Ceyx feel them, or the heaving flood 
But seem to raise the answering head to meet 
Their touch, — men doubted; but beyond all doubt 
He felt them : — and the pity of the Gods 
Too late awakened gave them equal fate 
At last, and both alike to birds transformed. 
Fond as of yore, still linked in that new shape 
By the same bond of conjugal love, they pair, 
And breed : and, in the Winter's sunnier calm, 
Seven days and nights upon her floating nest 
Alcyone sits brooding. Fearless then 
Launches his bark the Sailor. iEolus 
Fast in their caverns locks the prisoned winds, 
And for his daughter's children smooths the Seas. 



940 



945 



95° 



955 



XL These, as they skim the waves, some thoughtful Sire 
Observing, bids his friend observe, and lauds 
Their constant love : — " Mark too " — he says, or hears 
Perchance in answer, — " yonder Cormorant, 960 

" That diver, slim of shank, and broad of throat : — 
" His birth was royal too. Car'st thou to trace 
" His line of Sires 1 — For ancestors he boasts 
" The sons of Tros, Ilus, Assaracus 

" And Ganymedes, rapt of Jove to Heaven, 965 

" Laomedon the old, and Priamus, 
" Last Lord of falling Troy. Yes, yonder bird 
" Was Hector's brother, — might perchance have won 






Book XL] STORY OF ^ESACUS. 383 

" As great a name as Hector, had not Tate 

" In youth's first bloom a stranger doom assigned ; 970 

" Though, 'sooth, a nobler Mother, Dymas' child, 

" Gave Hector birth: — this iEsacus a Nymph, 

" Granicus' daughter, Alexirrhoe, 

" In secret, under Ida's leafy slopes, 

" To Priam bore. Cities and pomp of Courts 975 

" He hated, rarely 'mid the bustle seen 

" And throng of Troy, more pleased with peaceful haunt 

" Of secret hills and unambitious fields : 

" Yet no rough rustic, from whose churlish breast 

" Young Cupid's darts fell blunted. In the woods 980 

" The youth had followed oft Cebrenus' child 

" Hesperie, — and beside her Father's banks 

" Caught her, as o'er her shoulders flung profuse 

" She dried her new-bathed tresses in the Sun. 

" Like startled doe that sudden sees the wolf, — 985 

" Like wild-duck far from shelter of the pool 

" 'Ware of the hovering hawk, — upsprang the Nymph 

" And fled, the boy pursuing. Terror urged 

" To utmost speed the maiden, Love the youth. 

" When lo ! chance-trodden as she ran, a snake 990 

" Bit her, and left his poison in her heel, 

" Flight, Life, at once arresting. On the corse 

" The boy in anguish flung himself : — ' Ah ! why ' — 

" Piteous he wailed — ' why did I follow thee 1 

" ' I looked not for this end! Too dearly costs 995 

" ' This conquest ! We have slain thee ! we, we twain ! 

" ' This snake the means and I the cursed cause ! 

" ' More guilty I than he, if by my death 

" ' I pay thee not thine own ! Such recompense 



3^4 



STORY OF _4iSACUS. 



[Book XI. 



" ' At least is mine to offer thee ! ' He spoke, iooo 

" And headlong from a rock, whose arch o'erhung 

" The undermining waters, flung himself. 

" But pitying Tethys broke his fall, and buoyed 

" Upon sustaining pinions held him up 

" Above her waves, and barred the purposed death. 1005 

" So to be saved indignant, thwarted so 

" Of riddance of the wretched life he longed 

" To lose, with obstinate effort on the waves 

" Again he dashed him, still despite himself 

" By those new wings up-borne : — his plumes forbade 

" To sink: — and furious, furious still in vain, 10 11 

" With endless dip and plunge he strives to drown. 

" His passion wastes him: — thin his knotted shank 

" And thin the long lithe neck that far disparts 

" Body from head. His haunt is still the Sea: — 1015 

"And still beneath the flood immersed, and still 

" Emerging, Mergus is the name he bears." 



THE 



METAMORPHOSES 



OF 



PUBLIUS OVIDIUS NASO 

— 



BOOK XII. 



THE METAMORPHOSES. 



BOOK XII. 

I. For dead, unwitting how he lived a bird, 
King Priam wept his son : his cenotaph 
Hector and all his brethren with vain rite 
Of funeral honours reared. One only lacked 
Amid the mourners, — Paris : — Paris, doomed, 5 

For that stolen wife of Greece, his native Troy 
To scathe with curse of long-protracted war. 
A thousand barks the gathered levy bore 
Of all Pelasgia's sons; nor long delayed 
Had vengeance lingered, but the adverse winds 10 

The ocean-pathway barred, and in the roads 
Of Aulis, to Boeotian fishers dear, 
Detained and idle held the fretting fleet. 
There with ancestral homage as they sought 
The shrine of Jove, as bright once more with flames 1 5 
Too long extinct the ancient altars blazed, 
Around a towering plane, that neighboured close 
The sacred rite commenced, aghast they saw 
A blue and speckled serpent twine, and climb 



388 THE TROJAN WAR. [Book XII. 

Where 'mid trie leafy top a sparrow hatched 20 

Her chicks twice four. These, and their dam, — too near 

With woful twitter fluttering round her loss, — 

Gorged in his greedy maw the Snake. The crowd 

Astounded gazed. The Prophet-son alone 

Of Thestor read the portent's secret sense, 25 

And loud out-spoke — " Eejoice, Pelasgia's sons ! 

" We conquer ! Troy is ours ! though long the toil 

" That wins the prize;" — and, from the nine slain birds 

Foretold the nine ensuing years of siege : 

When — farther marvel! — as he spoke, the Snake 30 

Amid the green boughs gliding turned to stone, 

And coiled a marble serpent round the tree ! 

II. Persistent Nereus lashed the Aonian waves 
To wrath, and wind-bound held the idle fleet : — 
Neptune, some deemed, was sworn to save the walls 35 
Himself had helped to build. But not of these 
Was Thestor's son; — he knew, nor spared to warn 
What virgin-sacrifice must first appease 
Offended Dian's ire : and public weal 

O'ercame at last paternal love, — the King 40 

Subdued the Sire, — and at the altar-stone 
Ordained to redden with her innocent blood 
Iphigenia knelt, — the very Priests 
Around her drowned in tears. The Goddess' self 
Was conquered. Sudden cloud the unfinished rite, 45 

The chanting Priest, the praying multitude 
O'ershadowed, — none knew rightly what ensued, — 
But thence, so runs the tale, unseen the Maid 
Was wafted, and a substituted hind 



Book XII. ] THE HOUSE OF FAME. 389 

Bled victim in her place. So sank appeased 50 

With meeter sacrifice Diana's wrath, 

And, with it, Ocean's rage. More favouring winds 

Filled bellying to the East a thousand sails, 

And safely sped athwart the perilous seas 

The fatal navy touched the Phrygian strand. 5 5 

A spot there stands, central 'twixt Earth and Sea 
And Sky, the navel of the triple World, 
Whence all Creation to its utmost bound 
Lies visible, and every issued voice 

Pervading fills the universal air. 60 

Upon that specular height her citadel 
And palace Eame hath built. A thousand paths 
Lead to her halls, a thousand porches, void 
Of gate or barrier, day and night alike 
Open, give entrance. Walls of resonant brass 65 

The dwelling frame, and, vexed with ceaseless hum 
And buzz confused of voices, echo back 
Eedoubled all they hear. Kb rest, no calm, 
Xo silence, yet no din : a murmur low 
And dull, as of the roar of Ocean heard 70 

At distance, or Jove's thunder fainter-pealed 
Erom the last cloud of some departing storm. 
Legions of airy subjects throng the halls 
Coming and going, — Eumours thousand-fold 
Crowding and justling, mingled, false with true, 75 

In wildering babble of confounded speech. 
Some ever with fresh burden of report 
Inventive load the empty air, and some 
Dispersed the lying story bear abroad ; 
And still the tale with telling grows, and each 80 



390 THE TROJAN WAR. [Book XII. 

Kepeating hearer adds to what he hears. 

Bash-judging Error there, Credulity, 

Too sanguine Triumph, over-abject Fear, 

Sit inmates, and Sedition sudden-stirred, 

And whispering Slander, horn of dubious Sire. 85 

And, over all, the Goddess' self enthroned 

Whate'er in Earth or Sea or Sky is done 

Beholds, and searches all the World for News. 

III. Long since her warning voice the approaching war 
Had noised in Troy. No unexpected foe 90 

The Greekish navy came. Troy lined in arms 
Her guarded shore. The first to leap to land, 
The first to fall, foredoomed to Hector's spear 
Protesilaus bled. At terrible cost 

Her footing in that first-contested field 95 

Greece won, by Hector's valour taught to own 
That Troy had heroes too : — and Troy the worth 
Of Grecian arms in bloody lesson learned. 

Sigseum's strand was red with gore : — the Son 
Of Neptune, Cygnus, with a thousand deaths 100 

Had thinned the Grecian host, when through the ranks 
Of Hion, from his car with Pelian spear 
Wide dealing death, Achilles crashed, and, chief 
With Hector or with Cygnus hot to cope, 
With Cygnus first encountered: — Hector's fall 105 

To the long war's last year the Fates deferred. 
Straight at the foe with shout and cheer he urged 
His chariot's snowy steeds, and poising high 
His brandished lance — " Whoe'er thou art " — he cried — 
" Young Warrior! take this comfort of thy death, no 



Book XII. ] ACHILLES AND CYGNUS. 39 1 

" Achilles lays thee low ! " And on the word 

Followed the spear. The aim was true, — the point 

Was sharp, — yet from the breast it struck recoiled, 

Bruising alone, not wounding. Thetis' son 

Astonished saw. " "What marvel, Goddess-born, 115 

" For well unnamed I knew thee "— Cygnus cried 

Contemptuous — " that thy weapon draws no blood ? 

" This helm whose nodding horse-hair fans my brows, 

" This shield whose bossy burden loads my arm, 

" Are but mere warrior-trappings, borne for show, 120 

" Xot need. So Mars for ornament alone 

" Superfluous harness wears. Strip me of all 

" This idle casing, and invulnerable 

" I front thee still: — of no mere Nereid born, 

" But of that mightier Sire who Xereus' self 125 

" And all his Daughters rules and all the Seas ! " 

He spoke and at Pelides launched his spear : — 

Full in his buckler's disc, through nine tough folds 

Of bull-hide pierced the weapon, by the tenth 

Barred farther way. Achilles wrenched it forth, 130 

And back, for answer, whirled with giant force 

His whizzing javelin, bootless urged. The foe 

TJnwounded stood, unharmed. 2sbr better fared 

A third, though full-exposed jSTeptunus' son 

Its shock endured, nor cared to shun the blow. 135 

As in the Circus glares a Bull, provoked 

By scarlet-vested puppets, dangling set 

To tempt his headlong onset, mad to feel 

His fury wasted on a senseless foe, 

So chafed Pelides: — doubtingly he felt 140 

His weapon's point, — perchance the shaft had lost 



392 THE TROJAN WAR. [Book XII. 

Its barb, — the steel was there : — " Tis then this arm," 

He muttered, " is in fault ! Its force, of old 

" On many proved, on one at last is foiled ! 

" Yet erst it failed me not, when hrst I stormed 145 

" Lyrnessus' walls, — or Tenedos, — or drenched 

" With its defenders' blood Eetion's Thebes,— 

" Or when Cocytus crimson to the sea 

" With slaughter rolled, and twice-touched Telephus 

" The double virtue of my weapon proved. 150 

" An hour ago — be witness yonder pile 

" Of Trojan corses cumbering all the shore — 

" It failed me not ! — It shall not fail me now ! " 

He said, and, proving if that former force 

Yet served him, at Menaetes hurled his spear : — 155 

Through breastplate pierced and breast, the Lycian smote 

With rattling helm the Earth, and groaned, and died ! 

Hot from the corse he wrenched the steel: — " The same ! " 

He cried — " the same ! nor hand nor javelin fails ! 

" Still as of old they conquer! Be this point 160 

" Once more upon yon braggart tried, and Heaven 

" Speed the same weapon with the same success ! " 

He said, and aimed unerring at the son 

Of Neptune sped the spear: — the ashen shaft, 

Unshunned, as from some wall of solid rock 165 

From the left shoulder jarring fell repulsed! 

Alone a stain of visible crimson left 

Shewed where it struck. With triumph premature 

Elate Pelides marked the seeming wound 

That wound was none: — 'twas but Mensetes' blood 170 

He saw, not Cygnus' own. Then from his car 

Furious he sprang, and with his foe, secure 

His headlong onset fronting, hand to hand 



Book XII.] ACHILLES AND CYGNUS. 393 

With flashing falchion closed. Through helm and shield 

The good blade shore: — the harder skin beneath 175 

Defied the blow and blunted turned the steel. 

Then madly in the Trojan's face he dashed 

The bootless weapon's hilt, and thrice and once 

With stunning buffet of his buckler's boss 

Smote him upon the brows, and, with the shock 180 

Bewildered, dizzy, bore him back! — 'No pause, — 

]STo moment's space for breathing, — shout and blow 

What sense was left confounded : — terror seized 

His soul and darkness swam before his eyes ! 

Eight on a jutting boulder, that unseen 185 

Behind him barred the way, Pelides drove 

The backward-yielding foe, and, as he reeled, 

With force gigantic grappling, hurled to Earth 

Supine, and on his chest with stifling weight 

Of knee and buckler pressing, held him down. 190 

Fierce from the battered helm the thong he tore, 

And tight below his chin, with strangling noose 

Compressed, all issue choked of breath and life ; — 

And would have spoiled the corse : — but lo ! a shell 

Of empty arms was all his triumph found ! 195 

Cygnus had vanished, — by his Sea-God Sire 

To that white bird transformed that bears his name ! 

IY. Y. That battle fought — to neither resting host 
Unwelcome came a truce of many days : — 
Only on Trojan wall and Argive trench 200 

Kept watch and ward the sleepless sentinels : — 
And festal broke the morn when Peleus' son 
At Pallas' shrine, for Cygnus overcome, 
With sacrifice of heifer paid his thanks. 



394 STORY OF OENEUS. [Book XII. 

Eirst-carven smoked the altar's share, with steam 205 

Of grateful savour curling high to Heaven : 

The rest the banquet spread. The Chiefs reclined 

Circled the board, full-feasted : care and thirst 

Eled equal-banished by the cheering bowl. 

'Not minstrel-song, nor harp, nor boxen flute 2 1 o 

They needed, tuneful drilled with various stop : — 

Talk only wore the night, — and all its theme 

Was Valour : — each of desperate contest told 

Waged with some worthy foe; proud Memory waked 

The perils dared, the triumphs won, of yore : 215 

What else should Peleus' son for subject choose 1 

How else should Heroes talk with Peleus' son 1 — 

But most the recent fate of Cygnus moved 

Their marvelling comment : — how should mortal frame 

Be gifted with such privilege to mock 220 

The falchion's edge and turn the blunted spear 1 

That wonder with the rest Pelides shared : — 

When JSTestor thus : — " To you, belike, ye chiefs, 

" Warriors of younger date, unmatchable, 

" Unique, this prodigy appears, — this foe 225 

" Careless and woundless of your keenest steel. 

" For me, long years agone these eyes beheld 

" Perrhaebian Cseneus, Caeneus, of the slopes 

" Of Othrys' Lord, a thousand wounds at once 

" Enduring, harmed of none! and, more to make 230 

" The wonder, at his birth a woman born ! " 

Astounded at that greater miracle 
At length his audience craved the tale, and thus 
Pelides with the others, — " Tell it us, 
" old man eloquent, our Age's guide 235 



Book XII. ] STORY OF CLENEUS. 395 

" And oracle in counsel, for alike 

" We burn to hear. "What Father gave him birth, 

" This Caeneus? Why transformed? — Upon what field 

" Won he his fame 1 and by what stronger arm, 

" If any, was he conquered 1 " — Then the Sire : — 240 

" Old as ye see me, Princes, and of much 

" Forgetful that my earlier prime beheld, 

" Much can I yet remember, better naught 

" Than this, of chance or change, at home, abroad, 

" Peaceful, or warlike, witnessed. And, in sooth, 245 

" If ever ampler years to mortal man 

" Of chance and change gave ampler cognisance, 

" That man am I, who past two centuries 

" Full-counted live to enter on my third. — 

" Of all Thessalia's maids the fairest far, 250 

(" Compatriot-born, Pelides, with thyself,) 
" Was Csenis, child of Elateus ; through all 
" Thy towns, and all the towns of neighbour states, 
" Of many wooed, and wooed of all in vain. 
" Thy very Sire perchance, — but that ere this 255 

" His greater Goddess-bride was pledged or won, — 
" A wife well worth the seeking there had sought. 
" Be this as 't may, she wedded not. The God 
" Of Ocean, wandering on the lonely shore — 
" So runs the tale — surprised her, and by force 260 

"Her charms enjoyed; and, raptured with the bliss 
" Of that new conquest, bade her fearless speak 
" What wish she would, and have it. ' Wrong so great ' — 
" She said — ( demands proportioned recompense! 
" ' Unsex me ! nor of violence like this 265 

" ' Hereafter leave me capable ! I ask 



39^ 



STORY OF CiENEUS. 



[Book XII. 



" ' Nor more nor less.' And as she spoke — so still 

" The legend has it — masculine her yoice 

" In vigour swelled and tone : — the change was wrought! 

" Camis the maid was Cseneus now the man! 270 

" The God had heard her, and this boon to boot 

" Unsought bestowed, thenceforth invulnerable 

" To dread nor edge of sword nor point of spear. 

" Glad with that gift the changed one went his way, 

" And, on the banks of Peneus trained to arms, 275 

" 'Mongst Heroes sought a Hero's place and fame. 

" By this Ixion's son had won for wife 
" Hippodame, and to the nuptial feast 
" Invited came his cloud-bom Centaur kin 
" Half-horse, half-man. A vaulted cavern, cool 280 

" With shade of neighbour boughs, gave fitting space, 
" Elsewhere denied, to set the ample board. 
" Hsemonia's chiefs were there, and there by chance 
" Was I. Around from hall and palace rang 
" The revel's mingled tumult, — roar of crowd, 285 

" And minstrel-clang, and Hymenaeal chant, 
" On fume of smoking altars borne confused. 
" Girt with a band of maids and matrons fair, 
" Herself the fairest, more to grace our feast 
" Came forth the Bride. ' Happy, thrice-happy thou, 290 
" ' Pirithous, in such consort ! ' — So we said, — 
" Nor knew how near the greeting missed of truth, 
" For scarce her sight had charmed us, when, inflamed 
" By wine, or lust, or doubly fired by both, 
" Of his rough brood the roughest, Eurytus 295 

" Upsprang, before him dashing overthrown 
" Banquet and board : — nor of his bestial kind 






Book XII.] CENTAURS AND LAPITH^E. 397 

" Unf olio wed. By her tresses seized lie dragged 

" The Bride, — the rest, as choice or chance allowed 

" Made booty of her following. All the place 300 

" Bang sudden, like a city sacked, with cry 

" And shriek of women. But not long we gave 

" That licence way. ' Ho ! Centaur Eurytus ! ' — 

" Theseus it was that spoke — ' What madness prompts 304 

" ' This outrage ? Know'st thou not, while Theseus lives, 

" ' Who wrongs the friend of Theseus, wrongs himself 1 ?' 

" He said, and sweeping right and left the press 

" Tore from the Centaur's grasp the rescued Bride. 

" No word — (as how should words such act excuse % — ) 

" He spoke, but on the rescuer's face and breast 310 

" With shower of blow and buffet rained reply. 

" At hand it chanced an antique bowl there stood 

" Eough with outstanding figures rudely carved : — 

" The mighty mass with mightier strength upheaved 

" iEgides seized, and at his enemy's face 315 

" Whirled crashing : — Wine and blood and brain, confused, 

" From mouth and wound in hideous torrent gushed: — 

" Headlong he fell, and, rolled in mortal throe 

" With hoofs convulsive beat the swimming floor. 

" Mad at their brother's fate ' To arms ! to arms ! ' 320 

" His bi-form kindred shouted; wine to wrath 

"Lent double fury; goblet, flask, and bowl 

" The earliest missiles flew, from gentler use 

" Of social peace profaned to wounds and war. 

" Ophion's offspring, Amycus, was first 325 

" The walls to spoil for weapons : — down he tore 

" A pendent sconce with circling lights a-flame : — 

" Aloft, — as o'er some white bull's victim-neck 



39§ CENTAURS AND LAPITH^. [Book XII. 

" With axe up-swung at altar stands the Priest, — 

" He poised it, — then at Lapith Celadon 330 

" Full flung the branching weight : — the hero's face 

" Was lost, — one huge contusion ! With the shock 

"Dislodged from either socket shot the eyes, 

" And nose and jaw crashed mingled down his throat! 

" But vengeful seized Pellsean Belates 335 

" A trestle of the maple-board, and smote 
" The slayer : — sputtering shower of teeth and blood 
" Against the brawny bosom knocked the chin, 
" And, headlong as he rolled, a second blow 
" To Tartarus despatched him. On a shrine 340 

" Beside him, smoking yet, a furious glance 
" Cast Gryneus : — ' What ! ' he shouted — ' Lack we arms ? 
" ' Use we what Heaven supplies us ! ' and uptorn 
" Altar and fire together hurled amain 
" Amid the Lapiths! Fraught with double death 345 

" On Broteas and Orios crashed the mass, — 
" Orios, of that sorceress Mycale 
" The son, whose chanted spells had power to drag 
" From Heaven the struggling Moon. ' An' if I find 
" ' A weapon, Centaur, dear that deed shall cost ! ' 350 

"Evadius said, — and for a weapon found 
" The branching antlers of a giant-stag 
" Hung votive by some hunter on a pine. 
" Dashed full in Gryneus' face the jagged points 
" Pierced either orb of sight : — one mangled eye 355 

" Bent from its bursten socket clogged the tines, 
" One dangled gory in his clotted beard ! 
" Bed from the blazing altar Bhaetus seized 
" A brand : — where thick the ruddy locks o'erhung 



Book XIL] CENTAURS AND LAPITH^E. 399 

" Charaxus' dexter brow lie dealt Ids blow: 360 

" Like Autumn's crackling stubble touched with fire 

" Flamed all his fell of hair : — and in the wound, 

" Seared as it gushed, you heard the seething blood 

" Bubble and fry, as when some sturdy smith 

" White-hot the iron from the furnace draws, 365 

" And in the cistern drowns the hissing bar. 

" Furious with smart and burning, from his locks 

" He dashed the fire, and, shoulder-high upheaved 

" Tore from its place the threshold-stone, — a load 

" Fitter for wain and team, — too vast to hurl, — 370 

" Scarce with huge effort lifted ere its weight 

" The lifter overpowered, and, toppling down, 

" Crushed to the Earth the comrade at his side 

" Too close, Comsetes. Then a bitter laugh 

" Laughed Ehaetus — t Like your Champion be ye all ! ' 375 

" He scoffed — ' and to like purpose use your strength ! ' 

" And thrice and once again the flaming mace 

" He swung, and with fresh wound at every swing 

" Deep buried in his brain the shattered skull. 

" Evagrus, Dryas, Cory thus, were next 380 

" To feel his victor-fury : — Corythus, 

" His cheek yet downy with the bloom of youth, 

" First of the three. ' Fair triumph o'er a boy 

" ' O'erthrown ! ' Evagrus said, and, as the taunt 

"Was spoken, fierce the blazing mace was dashed 385 

" Full on the speaker's lips, and speech and breath 

" Choked in his throat. But not with like success 

" On Dryas fared his onset : — double flushed 

" With slaughter, round his head in flaming orb 

" Whirling his brand, where neck and shoulder join 390 



400 CENTAURS AND LAPITILE. [Book XII. 

" Deep with tlie sharp point of a half-charred stake 

" The Lapith pierced him, and, with howl of pain, 

" Wrenching the weapon from the wound, and bathed 

" In blood, he fled. Ornelis, Lycabas, 

" Med with him, Medon in his dexter flank 395 

"Wounded, Pisenor, Thanmas, Mermeros, 

(" Erewhile of all the swiftest in the race, 

" The slowest now with hurt,) and Melaneus, 

" And Abas, terror of the hunted boar, 

" And Pholus, and the Augur Astylos, 400 

" Whose prescience vainly warned his tribe from war, 

" And ISTessus, turned to fly : — ' Thou need'st not haste ! ' 

" Quoth Astylos — l the bow of Hercules 

" ' Will serve thy turn hereafter ! ' — Lycidas 

" Areos, Imbreus, and Eurynomus 405 

" Escaped not though they fled, — all four the hand 

" Of Dryas slew. Crenseus in his flight 

" Had yet his wound in front : — back as he looked 

" A moment, 'twixt the eyes, where nose and brow 

" Unite, a whizzing javelin pierced his brain. 410 

" Upon an Ossan bear-hide flung at length 
" O'erpowered by copious draughts, of all that brawl 
" Senseless, with nerveless fingers clutching yet 
" A half-drained goblet, drowned in drunken sleep 
" Aphidas lay. Him, supine as he snored 415 

" Inert, nor boot to friend nor bane to foe, 
"Marked Phorbas: < Drunkard! let the Styx' — he 

cried — 
" ' Cool thy next cup ! ' and through his weasand drove 
" The steel point of his ashen-shafted spear. 
" Senseless of death he died; and from his throat 420 



Book XII. ] CENTAURS AND LAPITELE. 4OI 

M O'erladen gushed tlie crimson flood and dyed 

" His shaggy couch, and brimmed the howl he held. 

" Petraeus too I saw, with giant force 
" Striving from Earth to tear a sapling oak ; 
" But, as he grasped and swayed from side to side 425 

" The yielding trunk, Pirithous' javelin pierced 
" And nailed him to the tree that mocked his strength. 
" By the same hand Lycus and Cromis fell, 
" And nobler triumph gave two nobler foes 
" Dictys and Helops, — keen from ear to ear 430 

" Through Helops' brain the fateful javelin sped: — 
" Adown a slope fled Dictys, and in flight 
" Stumbled and fell, with all his headlong weight 
" Crushing a mountain-ash, and self-impaled 
" Upon the spiky splintered trunk he died! 435 

" To venge his fate sprang Aphareus, and heaved 
"A rock's huge fragment ; but, or e'er his hand 
" Had time to hurl it, iEgeus' son forestalled 
" The cast, and with an oaken cudgel's blow, 
" Dealt on the elbow, broke his dexter arm. 440 

" So maimed, and careless if he lived or died, 
" That foe he left, and huge Bianor's back 
" With sudden vault bestrode, that never yet 
" Bore other burden than his proper weight; 
" And dug his sharp knees in the panting flanks, 445 

" And grasping in his left the mane, he rained 
" With that stout mace of knotted oak, on face 
" And brow, a fatal shower of shattering blows. 
" ISTedymnus next the deadly weapon felled, — 
" Lycotas, for his javelin's aim renowned, — 450 

" And shaggy-bearded Hippasus, — the bulk 
2c 



402 



CENTAURS AND LAPITPLE. 



[Book XII. 



" Of Bipheus, topping with his giant head 

" The woods he roved, — and Tereus, famed for strength 

" To grapple with Thessalia's mountain-hears, 

" And drag the struggling captives home alive. 455 

" Chafing to mark that triumph's fierce career, 
" From a dense clump of pines Demoleon strove 
" Uptorn to heave a tree of secular growth; — 
" The stubhorn root defied him : — but the trunk, 
" Snapped midway, furious at the foe he hurled. 460 

" But warned by favouring Pallas, — so himself 
" Averred, — aside the hero sprang and shunned 
" The coming peril. Yet not all in vain 
" The missile sped. Fatal, where chest and neck 
"And shoulder meet, on Crantor crushed the weight, 465 
" Thy Father's Squire, Achilles, whom in war 
" Subdued Dolopia's King Amyntor sent 
" To Thessaly in pledge of peace and faith. 
" Whom stretched in death-pang of that cruel wound 
" As Peleus saw — ' At least thy fate shall lack 470 

" ' No funeral sacrifice dear youth!' he cried, 
" And at the Centaur, launched with all his force 
" And all his soul, he whirled his ashen spear : — 
" Keen through his ribs it pierced, and from his flank 
" Outstanding quivered. Hardly from the wound 475 

" He wrenched the shaft, — the buried barb within 
" Defied his effort. Mad with rage and pain 
" Upright he reared, and with his hoofs essayed 
" To trample down his foe : — but on his shield 
" And helm, unharmed, thy gallant Sire sustained 480 

" His onset's clattering shock ; and, with one thrust 
" Tremendous of his steady-levelled spear, 



Book XII.] CYLLARUS AND HYLONOME. 403 

" Pierced mortal through the shoulder to the heart, 
" The double bulk of horse and man o'erthrew. 

" Phlegrseus, Hylas, earlier in the strife 485 

" Had fallen, at distance by his javelin reached : — 
" Hiphinoiis, Clanis, hand to hand had bled. 
" The turn was next of Dorylas : — a hide 
" Torn from the slaughtered wolf for helm he bore, 
" And, weapon-like upon his forehead set 490 

" And stained with blood, a wild bull's goring horns. 
" Then, — all the soul within me roused to nerve 
" My arm, — I shouted, ' Centaur ! prove we now 
" ' Which weapon sharper pierces, lance or horn ! ' — 
" And hurled my spear. Too sure too swift to shun 495 
" He saw the coming blow, and, as his hand 
" Uplifted sought to ward it, through his palm 
" The javelin sped, and nailed it to his brow. 
" Loud rang the Lapith shouts ! — Disabled so 
" And staggering with that grievous wound, the sword 500 
" Of Peleus — for more near he stood than I — 
" In the mid-belly smote him. From the rent 
" Hideous the entrails gushed, and, on the ground 
" Trailing his vitals, trampling what he trailed, 
" And crushing what he trampled, all his legs 505 

"In his own bowels hampered, prone he reeled 
" Exenterate, and with empty belly died ! 

" 'Not thee thy beauty Cyllarus availed, — 
" For, if that hybrid nature e'er might claim 
" The praise of beauty, beautiful thou wert ! 510 

" Golden his youthful beard, — his sunny locks 
" Played golden on his shoulders: — health and strength 
" Glowed in his cheeks. Neck, shoulder, chest, and arm, 



404 CYLLARUS AND HYL0N0ME. [Book XII. 

" All that was Man, the Sculptor's art might choose 

" For model; — nor less shapely in its kind 515 

" The brute beneath; — a horse's head and neck 

" Had perfected a steed for Castor's self, — 

"So backed for knightly seat, — so on his chest 

" The muscles swelled outstanding. Black his coat 

" As ebon, — tail and legs alone were white. 520 

" A thousand of his race's fairer sex 

" For Cyllarus went sighing: — one alone 

" Sighed not in vain: — Hylonome, of all 

" The semi-savage tribe that haunts the woods 

" The comeliest. With all gentle wooing ways 525 

" Of Love, love honest, undisguised, avowed, 

" She won and held him faithful. Not a grace 

" That female art to such a shape could lend 

" She lacked : — no locks were sleeker smoothed than 

hers, 
" Or twined with fresher wreath of rosemary, 530 

" Violet, or rose, or lily. Twice a-day 
" In the clear fount of sylvan Pagasae 
" She laved her glowing cheeks, and twice a-day 
" The river was her bath. The choicest furs 
" The chase could furnish, draped in graceful fold, 535 

" Bosom and shoulder mantled; — nor a robe 
" She chose but lent her charms a charm the more. 
" Both burned with equal flame: — inseparable 
" They roamed the hills, or to the cavern's shade 
" Eetired; together to that Lapith board 540 

" They came, and side by side contending died. 
" I know not from whose hand, but leftward hurled 
" The javelin sped that pierced thee, Cyllarus, 



it 

- 



Book XII. ] CENTAURS AND LAPITKLE. 405 

" A little wound, but heart-deep: — with the steel 
" Withdrawn the death-damp chilled the fainting limbs. 
" She saw him falling, caught him, strove to stanch 546 
" With tenderest hand his wound, and to his lips, 
" As though her kiss could stay the issuing soul, 
" Pressed passionate her own; and when she knew 
" The effort vain, — I know not what she said, 550 

" For that surrounding tumult drowned the words, — 
" But with a terrible shriek the fatal steel 
" She seized, and in her bosom drove the point 
" And fell, and flung around her husband's corse 
Her dying arms, and so embracing died. 555 

" Phaeocomes — methinks I see him yet — 
" Six shaggy lion-hides with thong and knot 
" Compact in one huge hauberk, cloaking man 
" And beast alike, had donned. A giant stump 
" That scarce two straining teams combined could draw 
" At Phonolenus' son his hand had hurled, 561 

" Wherewith the whole breadth of his arching skull 
" Was crushed and shattered, and from eye, and ear, 
" And mouth, and nostril, gushed the fluid brain, 
" As from the oaken press ye see exude 565 

" The curdled milk, or through the colander 
" Spurts in a hundred jets the viscid whey. 
" But, as he stooped to spoil his prostrate foe, 
" Betwixt his ribs — thy Father saw the deed, — 
" My blade I sheathed! — And by this sword of mine 570 
" Pell Chthonius and Teleboas, one for arms 
" Wielding a forky branch, and one a lance, 
" Which last indeed I 'scaped not, — in this scar 
" Yet visible Teleboas left his mark. 



406 



STORY OF C^ENEUS. 



[Book XII. 



" Ah! had but Troy been in those days to win, 575 

" This arm, as then it was, with Hector's self 

" Might well have coped, and, if not conquered, held 

" At least his force in check : — Yain boast ! for then 

" Was Hector yet not born, or still a babe : — 

" And now, my strength is feeble as a child's. 580 

" I spare ye longer tale, how Periphas 
" Pyretus slew; — how Ampyx with a shaft 
" Fatal though pointless cleft Oeclus' brow; — 
" How with a stake young Macareus transfixed 
" The breast of Erigdupus; — how the dart 585 

" Of Centaur JSTessus gored Cymelus' groin; — 
" How Mopsus, not alone for prophet-lore 
" Renowned, Odites smote, and, with his lance 
" Fast nailing tongue to jaw and jaw to throat, 
" Dismissed the struggling Centaur dumb to death. 590 

" Five bi-form foes, Bromus, and Styphelus ; 
" Pyracmon, Helymus, Antimachus, 
(" Number and names I know, but not their wounds,) 
" By this had Cseneus slain. But furious forth 
" Sprang Latreus, hugest far in body and limb 595 

" Of all his kind: — from young Halesus' corse 
" The spoils new-stripped had furnished him with arms. 
" Midway 'twixt youth and age, with all youth's strength 
" Yet unimpaired, the gray that streaked his locks 
" Was faint as yet. Elate with helm and shield 600 

" And Macedonian javelin, glancing proud 
" At either host, around he pranced, and clashed 
" His rattling arms, and to the empty air 
" Shouted his challenge : — ' What ! shall women too 
" ' Defy us 1 — for, to me a woman still, 605 

" ' Caenis, thou art — not Caeneus ! — Birth and sex 



Book XII.] STORY OF OENEUS. 407 

" • Some fitter work should find tliee ! Hast forgot 

" ' What price it was that paid this boasted boon 1 — 

" ' What bargain bought this lying form of man ? — 

" ' How born, how shamed, remember ! — Back, and ply 

" ' Basket and distaff! Card, and reel, and spin! 611 

" ' Home ! and leave war to men ! ' So insolent 

" He spoke : — the spear of Cseneus answered him : — 

" Deep in his side, where horse and man unite, 

" In mid career it pierced him. Mad with pain 615 

" Full at the hero's face exposed he whirled 

" His Macedonian lance. As from the roof 

" Rebounds the hail, — or from a hollow drum 

" The pattering pebble of some wanton child, 

" The dart recoiled. Then hand to hand he closed, 620 

" And with a sword-thrust tried his flank, and found 

" No passage for the blade. * Thou 'scap'st not thus ! ' 

" He shouted — ' If the point is blunt, the edge 

" ' Shall reach thee yet ! ' and at his side, oblique, 

" A trenchant stroke he dealt, and with a jar, 625 

" As though some marble statue met his blow, 

" Flew shivered to its very hilt the sword ! 

" ' Enough' — quoth Caeneus — 'hast thou proved this form 

" * Invulnerable : — try we now if thine 

" ' Eesist as well ! ' — and to the hilt he plunged 630 

" Beneath the shoulder-blade his deadly sword, 

" And in his very vitals probing twirled 

" The steel, and made an hundred wounds in one ! 

" With frantic outcry rushed his bi-form kind 

" To venge him, with dense storm of spear and lance 635 

" Hailed on one single head; but lance and spear 

" Fell harmless all and blunted; and unhurt, 

" Unscratched the hero mocked the hurtling shower. 



408 STORY OF C^NEUS. [Book XII. 

" Amazed they saw the miracle : — ' What shame 

" ' Is this 1 ' cried Monychus — a host by one 640 

" ' Defied and baffled, and that one but half 

" ' A man ! or is he man, and we ourselves 

" ' What once he was 1 — What boot of limbs like ours 1 

" ' Of double force 1 What use that in one form 

" ' Nature hath blent the strongest twain that live 1 645 

" * No Goddess was our Mother, — nor our Sire 

" ' That Chief whose daring wooed the Queen of Heaven, — 

" ' If thus we yield to this half-woman foe ! 

" ' Try we some other arms ! Let rocks and stones 

" ' Dash him to Earth! hurl mountains on his head! 650 

" ' Heap all your forests over him! and crush 

" ' And stifle out the life that mocks your steel!' 

" He said, and, for example, seized a trunk, 

" By the rude blast of Auster overthrown, 

" And whirled: — and in a few brief moments cleared 655 

" Othrys was bare and Pelion reft of shade ! 

" O'erwhelmed by that enormous mass, a while 

" On his stout shoulders bearing up the weight, 

" Panting stood Cseneus, but, as denser rose 

" O'er head and mouth the heap, nor breathing-space 660 

" Allowed him longer, fainting now, and now 

" With desperate effort striving yet to heave 

" The smothering wood and win his way to air, 

" With such convulsive strain he shook the pile 

" As when the Earthquake's subterranean force 665 

" Eocks all the trembling woods on Ida's side. 

" Doubtful his end : — some deemed that mighty weight 

" Of piled-up forests pressed to Tartarus 

" His sinking soul. The Son of Ampycus 

" Averred that issuing from the pile he saw 670 



Book XIL] STORY OF PERICLYMENUS. 409 

" A bird of tawny plumage wing the air: — 

" Myself such saw a moment, and no more : — 

" But Mopsus watched it fearless o'er the ranks 

" That held its friends in clamorous circle wheel, 

" And knew, and knowing greeted : — ' Hail ! ' he cried, 675 

" * Chief glory of the Lapithsean race ! 

" ' Peerless as man and peerless now as bird! ' 

" And on his warrant was the change believed. 

" Then, doubly fired by sorrow to avenge 
" One by so many foully done to death, 680 

" We glutted grief with slaughter: — nor our swords 
" Were sheathed till half the Centaur-brood was slain, 
" And night and darkness helped the rest to fly." 

VI. So as that tale of Centaur-Lapith strife 
Old Nestor closed, Tlepolemus, aggrieved 685 

To note no mention of Alcides' name, 
Out-spoke; — "Grave Sire, methinks thy memory 
" Of Hercules is short : — himself hath oft 
" Told me how well he bore him in that fray." 
To whom the Pylian, sighing, — "Wherefore wake 690 

" A grief that long ago in lapsing years 
" Had slept forgotten 1 — Why recall the days 
" Of blood and wrong that made thy Sire my foe 1 — 
" I know his deeds past credence, — own the world 
" His debtor, — would I could that claim deny! 695 

" But do we Grecians laud Deiphobus, 
" Polydamas, or Hector 1 — Earely men 
" Are apt to praise the hand that works them woe. 
" Thy Sire it was that levelled with the ground 
" Messene's walls, — that sacked our guiltless towns 700 
" Elis and Pylos, — that with fire and sword 



410 STORY OF PERICLYMENUS. [Book XII. 

" In ruin laid my home and household-Gods ! 
" Twelve — for I pass what other blood he shed — 
" Twelve were we, Neleus' sons, — a gallant band 
" Of brothers, and all twelve, save me alone, 705 

" Thy Father slew ! By such a foe o'ermatched 
" No wonder that they fell : — yet passing strange 
" The fate one met. To Periclymenus 
" Neptune, the author of our race, the boon 
" Had given, at will to wear what living form 710 

" His fancy chose, at will resume his own. 
" Of these a hundred trying for escape, 
" At last the likeness of that bird he took, 
" Favourite of Jove, that in his talons bears 
" The thunderbolts; — and with an eagle's arms, 715 

" Wing, beak, and claw, assailed the spoiler's face, — 
" Then soared : — but high as 'mid the clouds he hung 
" An arrow loosed from that too certain bow 
" Struck him, where springs the pinion from the side,- — 
" No mighty wound, but hurt enough to break 720 

" The nerve that gave his wing its motive play 
" And power, — and down he toppled; — impotent 
" And crippled through the air he could not beat 
" To Earth he fell, and with his proper weight 
" Drove deep the arrow lodged beneath his wing 725 

" Through body and neck, till on his upper side 
" Gleaming the point out-stood. — What eulogy, 
" Think' st thou, fair Captain of the Ehodian fleet, 
" Does Nestor owe this Hercules of thine 1 — 
" I pass his deeds in silence: — so alone 730 

" I wreak my vengeance for my brethren slain. 
" For thee, — I know thy worth, and love thee well." 
So calm and fair the Pylian made reply. 



Book XII. ] DEATH OF ACHILLES. 41 1 

Once more the wine-cup circled : — then the Chiefs 

From banquet rose, and night was given to sleep. 735 

YII. But that great God whose trident rules the Seas 
Yet wroth for Cygnus, like his namesake son 
Of Sthenelus transfigured to a swan, 
And bent on Peleus' hated son to wreak 
His ancient grudge too unforgiving nursed, 740 

Xow in the tenth year of the lingering war 
To Smintheus made appeal : — " Best-loved of all 
''' My Brother's Sons, whose labours joined with mine 
" Beared yonder towers too soon ordained to fall, 
" If aught their coming ruin sads thy soul, — 745 

" If aught the thousands slain in their defence 
" Touch thee, — if e'er the mute appealing Shade 
" Of Hector, trailed unseemly round his walls, 
" Be present to thine eyes, — my vengeance aid! 
" Tor yet the fierce destroyer of our work, 750 

" Achilles, lives, and fiercer grows with blood! 
" Would in fair combat I could prove the force 
" Of this my trident on him ! — But not thus 
" We two may meet. Thy bow may speed unseen 
" A shaft, and smite the braggart unaware ! " 755 

Assenting Phoebus heard: — his Uncle's cause 
Was his as well. Veiled in a robe of cloud 
The Trojan host he sought, and 'mid the strife 
Found Paris, careless dealing arrowy death 
On meaner Greeks; and thus — the God confessed — 760 
Bespoke him: — "Wherefore on these vulgar foes 
" Thy quiver waste 1 — K Priam's son thou art, 
" Aim yonder, and avenge thy brethren slain!" 
And, pointing where Pelides heaped the field 



412 DEATH OF ACHILLES. [Book XII. 

With slaughtered Trojans, nerved trie archer's arm 765 

And sped the arrow deadly to its mark. 

A deed that o'er his Hector's very bier 

Might gladden Priam's heart ! — Was this thy fate 

Achilles, victor of a thousand fields 1 

This coward thief that stole a Grecian wife 770 

Thy conqueror ? — If the Fates thy fall ordained 

To hand so like a woman's, better far 

Penthesilea's Amazonian axe 

Long since had by Thermodon laid thee low ! 

And now the dread of Troy, the boast and shield 775 
Of Greece, the Chief that never in fair field 
Pound conqueror, was but ashes ! — That same God 
That armed consumed him ! All that yet remained 
Of the great son of Peleus scantly filled 
One little urn ! But yet his glory lives 780 

And fills the world : — 'tis by their fame alone 
We measure Heroes, and, so measured, great 
Achilles lives as ever ! Tartarus 
May shroud the Hero's Shade, but not his Fame, 

His very shield — so proving whose it was — 785 

Stirred quarrel o'er his tomb, and Chiefs in arms 
Held contest for his armour. Claim so high 
Not Diomed had boldness to prefer; — 
Oilean Ajax, Atreus' elder-born 

And younger shrank alike. Laertes' son 790 

And Telamonian Ajax only dared 
Assert them worthy of so great a prize. 
But Agamemnon's wiser sense declined 
The invidious choice, and into Council called 
The Chiefs, and bade the Eivals plead their claims, 795 
And all the Assembly judge betwixt the twain. 



THE 



METAMORPHOSES 



OF 



PUBLIUS OVIDIUS NASO 



BOOK XIII. 



THE METAMORPHOSES. 



BOOK XIII. 

I. The Chiefs were set : — the host was ranged around : — 
And first, the Master of the seven-fold shield, 
Ajax uprose. Intemperate as he was 
Of soul and speech, upon Sigaeum's shore, 
Where anchored rode the fleet, a glance of scorn 5 

He cast, and seaward pointing — " Ye great Gods ! " 
He cried — " Before your ships ye judge this cause, 
" And, with those ships in sight, Ulysses dares 
" To stand my Bival ! Where was he, when fierce 
" With torch and brand raged Hector on the shore? 10 
" 'Twas I who saved them — I who drove him back ! 
" Safer it is to fight with words than arms ! 
" I am not quick of speech, nor he of act; 
" Though strong of arm, methinks, as he of tongue, 
" As many a field hath shown ye, where my deeds 1 5 

" Yourselves have seen: — I need not count them o'er: — 
" Let him tell his, whereof, I doubt, the most 
" Can vouch no witness save himself and Night. 
" 'Tis no mean stake we play for — true : — but this, 



41 6 SPEECH OF AJAX. [Book XIII. 

" My rival, cheapens it! whate'er its worth 20 

" Poor hoast it is to me to bear away 

" A prize that such as he may hope to win : — 

" And for Ulysses more than praise enough 

" That, beaten as he was, the world shall say 

" He coped with Ajax ! — For myself, if deeds 25 

" Were lacked or valour doubtful, birth and race 

" Speak trumpet-tongued : — my Sire was Telamon, 

" That stormed with Hercules the walls of Troy, 

" And sailed in Argo to the Colchian shores : — 

" And iEacus was his, who o'er the Shades 30 

" Sits Judge, where strains iEolian Sisyphus 

" Against his lapsing stone. He claims for Sire 

" Great Jove himself, nor Jove disowns his Son. 

" So am I third from Jove. Nor such descent 

" Here would I urge, but that in like degree 35 

" Achilles stood: — one Grandsire his and mine: — 

" And I, his kinsman, claim the rights of kin. 

" What! must this brood of Sisyphus, in craft 

" And wile and fraud the image of his Sire, 

" Foist in the roll of us iEacidse 40 

" His upstart name? — Ye cannot dare deny 

" These arms to me, the first to arms who sprang 

" Unpressed, by no informer dragged to war, 

" And give them to this craven, last of all 

" At muster, feigning madness to escape 45 

" A warrior's duty, till Naupliades 

" Craftier than he — so to his sorrow proved — 

" In evil hour the subterfuge exposed, 

" And drove the dastard trembling to the field. 

" Give him these arms ! Ee his the best, who none 50 






Book XIII. ] SPEECH OF AJAX. 417 

"Had borne, unforced: — and as for me, who stood 
" first in the front of danger, let me go 
" Unhonoured, of my kindred rights debarred! 
" I would to Heaven his madness had been true, 
" Or so believed, nor ever as ally 55 

" This plotter of all mischief sailed the Seas 
" With us to Troy ! So never, to our shame, 
" Had Lemnos caged deserted Paeas' son, 
" Whose moans, they say, amid her forests move 
" The rocks; — whose curses, on Ulysses' head 60 

" Heaped well-deserved, I pray the Gods fulfil! 
" There our true comrade sworn, our Peer in field 
"And council, heir to great Alcides' arms, 
" Alas! a prey to famine and disease, 

" For food and raiment on the tribes of air 65 

" Expends the shafts that should have conquered Troy ! 
" Yet Lemnos from Ulysses sunders him, 
" And so — he lives ! — So Palamedes yet 
" Had lived, had he been left, — or found at least 
" A death unshamed with charge of traitorous guilt, 70 
" Devised in vengeance for that coward feint 
" Of madness erst exposed: — a lying tale 
" Proved by a lying witness, that himself 
" First hid the gold he found ! So of its strength 
" By death and exile twice he robbed our host. 75 

" So tights Ulysses; — and such arms, I own, 
" Men well may dread. But though his eloquence 
" Surpass our Nestor's, ill for Nestor's self 
" Deserted can his glozing find excuse, 
" Whom, weak with age and by his courser's wound 80 
" Delayed, this trusty comrade left unhelped 
2d 



4i8 



SPEECH OF AJAX. 



[Book XIII. 



" Deaf to his call for aid. Tydides knows 

" I lie not, for Tydides' self his friend 

" By name recalled, and chid his shameful flight. 

" Well, — to us men the Gods above are just : — 85 

" Next 'tis himself whose peril asks the aid 

" He gave not others. Had we left him there 

" As he left Nestor, we had served him right ! 

" Himself had set us pattern. — But for help 

" He bawls, — I fly to aid him, — and I find 90 

" A trembling wretch that, white and paralysed 

"With terror, waits an unresisted death! 

" This buckler fenced his carcass as he lay, 

" And saved — a worthless deed ! — his worthless life. 

" Wilt still pursue this contest? — Then 'twere fair 95 

" We sought yon field again: — Give back the foe, 

" The wound, the wonted terror ! Lurk once more 

" Behind my shield, and thence dispute thy claim ! 

" Gods ! when that shield was lifted, he, whose hurt 

" Not left him strength to stand, found speed enough 100 

" To fly ! — I swear no wound was in his legs ! 

" Lo ! Hector comes, and with him all the Gods 
" Of Troy to battle ! — Braver men than thou 
" Ulysses, — such the terror of his arm, — 
" Might blench from charge like his ! — That Hector, flushed 
" With long career of slaughter, I it was 106 

" That with a rock's vast weight at distance hurled 
" Dashed to the ground! That Hector, when he braved 
" Our best to duel, I it was that met ! 
" No Greek of all the host but prayed that Fate no 

" Might choose me Champion, — and the prayer was heard. 
" ' What issue 1 ' — say ye — None for him to boast : — 



Book XIII.] SPEECH OF AJAX. 419 

" I fought unconquered. Mind ye yet the day 
" When Troy, with tire and sword, and Jove to help, 
"Swarmed round your fleet? — Where hid this words-man 
then? 115 

" My breast alone it was whose bulwark fenced 
" Your thousand galleys, saved your only hope 
" Of Greece and Home ! — For all those ships preserved 
" Give me these arms ! Tis no vain boast to say, 
" More honour will it be for them than me: 120 

" Their glory should be linked with mine : — the arms 
" Want Ajax more than Ajax wants the arms ! 
" And now this Ithacus will gloze, forsooth, 
" Of Ehesus butchered, — quaking Dolon snared, — 
" And captive Helenus, the prophet-son 125 

" Of Priam, with his Pallas filched from Troy ! — 
" Exploits of Mght, — nor one in open day, 
" Xor one attempted save when Tydeus' Son 
" Was by to help ! — If to such paltry feats 
" These arms are due, why, part them fair, and give 130 
" To Diomed the larger share he earned ! 
" What, if he won it, should our Ithacus 
" Do with such prize, who wars but in the dark 
" Unarmed, — who not by force but fraud subdues 
" His unsuspecting enemy? — The blaze 135 

" Of yonder morion's gold would but betray 
" The ambush and reveal the lurking foe ! 
" Could that Dulichian head of his support 
" The casque that helmed Achilles ? Could those hands 
" Un warlike poise the weight of Pelion's spear? 140 

" Should that vast shield, upon whose figured orb 
" Stands wrought the image of the whole round world, 



420 SPEECH OF ULYSSES. [Book XIII. 

" Hang on a coward's arm, by Nature framed 

" For theft, not war 1 — What folly bids thee seek 

" This worse than useless prize 1 ? — If, sore misled, 145 

" Greece held thy claim the better, of what boot 

" Would be the boon 1 — To make thee robbed, not feared ! 

" Thy foes would spoil and mock thee ! Or thy speed 

" In flight — wherein above all living men 

" I hold thee paramount, and there alone, — ' I 5° 

" Would fail thee, weak with that heroic weight ! 

"See too — thy shield, in battle seldom borne, 

" Is good as new : — Mine with a thousand dints 

" Is hacked and bruised, and craves to be replaced. 

" Enough of idle words ! let hands not tongues 155 

" Show what we are ! Fling 'mid yon hostile ranks 

"Our hero's armour : — bid us fetch it thence : — 

" And be it his who first shall bring it back ! " 

So ceased the son of Telamon, and round 
The circling host applausive murmur ran, 160 

Hushed as Ulysses rose. With modest glance 
Bent earthward for a while, slow-raised, he faced 
His Peers, and, as the looked-for words flowed free, 
Becoming gesture graced the eloquent speech. 
" Had Heaven, Princes, heard your vows and mine, 165 
" This contest had been spared : — no doubtful heir 
" These arms had waited : — thine they yet had been 
" Achilles, and thyself had'st yet been ours ! 
" But, since less kindly Fate not wills it so," 
(And here across an eye that seemed to weep 170 

His hand he drew,) " who rightlier should succeed 
"Our great Achilles lost than he who gave 
" To Greece the aid of great Achilles' arm 1 






Book XIII. ] SPEECH OF ULYSSES. 42 1 

" Count not in Ajax' favour that he seems 

" The dullard that he is, nor hold the worse 175 

" My title, for such wit as for your weal 

" Was ever used; — nor let such fluency 

" Of speech — I dare not call it eloquence — 

"As, oft exerted in the cause of all, 

" To-day must serve its master's, prejudice 180 

" The claim it pleads. Let each man use unblamed 

" What helping gifts he owns : but for our birth 

" And ancestry, — the praise to which ourselves 

" Contribute nothing, — scarce I call them ours. 

" Though, 'sooth, if Ajax claim descent from Jove, 185 

" So too may I, and in the same degree. 

" Laertes, then Arcesius, and then Jove : — 

" These were my Sires: — and, in that list, no name 

" Is stained with blood or exile ! Mercury 

" Adds like distinction on my Mother's side, 190 

" And either Parent links me with the Gods. 

" Yet not for that a nobler womb it was 

" That gave me birth, — not that my Father's hand 

" Blushed with no brother's murder, — I demand 

" Yon arms: — such prize desert alone should win. 195 

" Only to him impute not for desert 

" The chance of brotherhood, that Telamon 

" And Peleus owned one Father : — nor be blood 

" Inherited, but valour, tried and proved, 

" Esteemed the better plea. But — grant the next 200 

" In blood should heir them — was not Peleus' son 

" A Father too ? While Pyrrhus lives, what place 

" For Ajax 1 — Take away the arms, and back 

i" To Phthia or to Scyros send them home! 



422 SPEECH OF ULYSSES. [Book XIII. 

Teucer is to Achilles close of kin 205 

As Ajax — yet what claim has Teucer made 1 
None — nor is like to make ! Enough of blood 
And kin ! 'tis deeds this quarrel must decide, — 
And mine are more than memory, sudden-taxed, 
May range in compass of a moderate speech : — 210 

' I tell them in time's order, as I can. 
' His Nereid Mother, prescient of the fate 
' That doomed her son, had in a girl's attire 
' Disguised him; and the cunning cheat deceived 
' All vulgar eyes — our Ajax with the rest. 215 

' But I, 'mid other woman's wares, devised 
' To tempt him with such weapons as should stir 
' The manlier soul : — and as the seeming maid, 
' Detected, eager pounced on shield and spear, 
' ' Goddess-horn' — I said — ' to thee the Fates 220 

' ' Eeserve the fame of vanquished Pergamus ! 
' ' Give thou their hest fulfilment ! Troy in thee 
1 ' Demands her conqueror ! ' — Then I seized and led 
' Among our brave the bravest to his place. 
' To me ye owe him ! All the deeds he did 225 

' Are mine ! I conquered Telephus 1 'Twas I 
' Whose javelin cured the wound itself had made ! 
' I battered Thebae's walls ! My prowess won 
' Lesbos and Tenedos, Apollo's towns 
' Chryse and Cylla, and Scyros: — 'twas this hand 230 

' That levelled with the ground Lyrnessus' towers, 
' And hundreds more I name not. I it was 
' Gave you the hand that furious Hector slew, 
1 And so by me lies famous Hector slain ! 
' This armour, for those arms that first revealed 235 



Book XIII.] SPEECH OF ULYSSES. 423 

" Achilles, I demand ! To me alone 

" The living owed it, — let the dead restore! 

" Ye not forget the time when Aulis bound 

" Our thousand ships : — when for the grief of one 

" Sorrowing and sad went all the host he led: — 240 

" When wind was none, or adverse : — and the voice 

" Of Fate, too cruel, "bade your noblest slay 

" At Dian's shrine his unoffending child: — 

" How hardly to submit the Parent's soul 

" "Was won, — how at the very Gods themselves 245 

" He murmured, — how the King could not forget 

" That he was Father too. — 'Twas I, whose words 

" Persuasive to the general weal of Greece 

" Subdued the Sire's resistance. Here, to-day, 

" I dare confess — Atrides pardon me 250 

" The avowal — 'twas no easy suit, and won 

" Prom no impartial Judge. His people's good, 

" His brother's cause, his place supreme conferred 

" Unanimous, prevailed : and at the price 

" Of his own blood he bought a patriot's praise. 255 

" So, Envoy to her Mother next was need 
" I went. jSo prayer that told the horrid truth 
" Might hope to win her thence. Some specious lure, 
" Some plausible tale was lacked. Had Ajax there 
" Been trusted with such mission, well I ween 260 

" Your sails till now had waited for a wind ! 

" We landed. Pearless to the Hian towers 
" Your Orator I went, and, in the court 
" Of Priam, thronged with all its noblest Peers, 
" Bold urged the claim of universal Greece, — 265 

" Charged Paris with his theft, and bade him yield 



424 SPEECH OF ULYSSES. [Book XIII. 

" The wife lie stole. King Priam, and with him 

" Anterior, I persuaded : but the rest, — 

" Paris — his brothers — and the lawless crew 

" That called the robber master, — scarce restrained 270 

u From open violence their impious hands. 

" Thou, Menelaus, know'st what risk that day, 

" First of the war, we twain together ran ! 

" 'Twere long to number all my services 
" Of head and hand in this protracted strife 275 

" Eendered to Greece. Long time the wary foe, 
" After the first hot skirmish, held his walls; 
" And in fair field had valour little chance 
" To prove itself. The tenth slow year at last 
" Brought glut enough of battle. "What, the while, 280 
"Did'st thou, who nothing knowest save to fight? 
" What use was thine ? — While I with ambush trapped 
" The foe, — with trenches girt the camp secure, — 
" Cheered up the wearier souls that ill endured 
" The lingering warfare's length, — devised supply 285 

" Of arms or victual, — went where'er she would 
" For Greece, — and gladly, so I served her cause ! 

" Next — Heaven-deluded by a lying dream — 
" Our Leader wakes, and sudden bids us quit 
" The abandoned enterprise. Himself might plead 290 
" The God that warned him in his own excuse : — 
" But Ajax ? — What ! should Ajax suffer this ? 
" Should Ajax not with all his might resist, 
" Entreat, demand, that so we thwart not Fate 
" Of Troy foredoomed to fall ? — Why stems he not 295 
" The seaward rush? — not bares his blade? not calls 
" The coward rout to turn and follow him, 



Book XIII. ] SPEECH OF ULYSSES. 425 

" And win or die 1 — It had not been too much 

" To look for from a tongue that talked so big. 

" What if himself he fled 1 — I saw — and shame 300 

" It was to see — I saw thee turn thy back 

" And hoist thy shameful sail ! — ' What is't ye do V 

" I cried — ' comrades ! Are ye mad, when Troy 

" ' Is all but ours, to fling such prize away, 

" * And, after ten long years of war sustained, 305 

" ' Bear to your homes no trophy save disgrace ? ' — 

" And with such words and more — for grief that day 
" Lent eloquence — from the re-anchored fleet 
" I shamed the fliers back; — and Atreus' son 
" Summoned once more his chieftains, sore-dismayed, 310 
" To council, where no word, no syllable, 
" Dared Ajax utter; — though Thersites dared, 
" And yet, I guess, remembers how this hand 
" Chastised his ribald insult to the Kings. 
" Mine was the voice that roused the timid Chiefs, 315 
" And to their wonted valour called them back. 
" Thenceforth — all deeds of prowess -wrought by him — 
" Whatever seems his merit — I, who dragged 
" The coward back to duty, claim for mine. 

" What tongue in all our host speaks well of thee 1 320 
" Who cares to call thee friend 1 — Tydides shares 
" Gladly with me all warrior-feat and risk, 
" And loves, and holds me comrade true: — and he 
" May well, methinks, be proud whom Diomed 
" Of all our thousands singles out for friend ! 325 

" I waited for no lot to bid me front 
' ; Peril of foe and darkness, when, that night, 
" Fearless of foe and darkness as myself 



426 SPEECH OF ULYSSES. [Book XIII. 

" Dolon I slew: — nor slew till from his lips 

tl I wrung confessed the schemes of treacherous Troy. 330 

" All stood revealed: — no need of further quest! 

" Had I brought back that secret, and nought else, 

" It had been praise enough. But, greedy yet 

" Of more, to Ehesus' tent I pierced, and slew 

" In his own camp the Monarch and his train; 335 

" And so, successful to my wildest hope 

" Of conquest, drove, as 'twere in triumph, home 

" His captured car. Deny me now the arms 

" Of him whose steeds that Dolon, but for me, 

" Had won in guerdon of his midnight feat: — 340 

" Let Ajax have them: — ye may make at least 

" His temper something sweeter with the gift ! 

" Must I recall the day when this good sword 
" Wrought havoc in Sarpedon's Lycian ranks, 
" And catalogue my triumphs'? — Cseranus, 345 

" Alastor, Chromius, and Alcander slain, 
" Noemon, Halius, Thoiis, Prytanis, 
" Chersidamas, and Charops, — Ennomus 
" Doomed by his pitiless Fates, and all the rout 
" Of meaner foes that underneath yon walls 350 

" This hand o'erthrew 1 I too have wounds, Greeks ! 
" And fair ones, dealt in front ! Nor take on trust 
" The boast, — behold them ! " — (and aside he drew 
His robe and showed his scars,) — " behold a breast 
" Seamed in your service! What one drop of blood 355 
" In all these years hath Ajax shed for you 1 ? 
" What wound hath he in all that bulk to show 1 — 
" What if for yonder ships with Troy and Jove 
" To boot he fought, — as fight I own he did, 



Book XIII.] SPEECH OF ULYSSES. 427 

" For 'tis not in my nature to detract 360 

" From praise where praise is due, — must he alone 

" Monopolise the merit, nor admit 

" The general share? Patroclus, in the arms 

" Of great Achilles deemed Achilles' self, 

" More helped than he to save from Trojan flames 365 

" Your fleet, and haply its defender too ! 

" He — he alone with Hector dared to cope ! 
" So one would think to hear him! — He forgets 
" The King, the Chiefs, myself, — that, out of nine 
" Ambitious of that peril, chance alone 370 

" Preferred himself. Speak, doughty champion ! say 
" What of that duel was the proud result 1 — 
" That Hector passed unwounded from the field ! 

" Ah me ! with what a pang I yet recall 
" The day when Greece in her Achilles saw 375 

" Her stoutest bulwark fall ! Yet in that hour 
" Nor grief, nor tears, nor danger held me back, 
" But forth I sprang to raise the fallen form : — 
" Upon these shoulders — these — I bore his corse 
" And arms — the arms I yet have hope to bear. 380 

" Ye saw, this body to support such weight 
" Is strong enough : — and — for the soul within — 
" This may I say, that not at least it lacks 
" The sense to prize such honourable gift. 
" Was't but for this his Sea-born Mother sued, 385 

" Ambitious for her son, that boon of Heaven, 
" That masterpiece of Vulcan ? — but to deck 
" This burly sworder's rude and senseless breast, 
" That not so much as know the name of one 
" Of all the wonders of that sculptured shield, 390 



428 SPEECH OF ULYSSES. [Book XIII. 

" The thousand marvels of the triple World 

" There imaged, town of Earth or Star of Sky, 

" Pleiad or Hyad, ever-unsubrnerged 

" Arcturus, or Orion's belted sword 1 — 

" This loon, whose insolence presumes to claim 395 

" The arms he lacks the wit to understand 1 

" What ! does he twit me that aloof from War 
" I held, and came but late to share your toils 1 
" Can he not see how that ungenerous taunt 
" Wrongs great Achilles' self? — If crime it be 400 

" To feign, we both were guilty : — if delay 
" Be censure, I, who led Achilles here, 
" At least was in the field as soon as he. 
" A loving wife it was that held me back, 
" A loving mother him : — to these we gave 405 

" Some earlier hours — the rest were all your own. 
" If all my guilt be such as Peleus' Son 
" Partakes with me, I care not if I fail 
" To quit me of his charge. Laertes' Son 
" Had wit to trap Achilles : — 'twill be long 410 

" Methinks ere Ajax traps Laertes' Son. 

" No marvel that this railer vents on me 
" His clumsy slander, who not spares to tax 
" Yourselves with shame. For — grant that Palamede 
" Was innocent — in what was my offence 415 

" Who charged him more than yours who sentenced Mm ? 
" And yet, what answer dared the traitor urge % 
"What plea"? — Ye saw, not only heard, his guilt: — 
" The bribe was patent, and the doom was just. 

" Nor mine be all the blame, that Vidcan's isle 420 

" Holds Philoctetes prisoner: — if it needs 



Book XIII. ] SPEECH OF ULYSSES. 429 

" Defence, defend it, for ye shared the act. 

" I not deny I counselled, nay implored, 

" The Chief to rest him there, and in repose 

" From "War and travel heal his cruel wound. 425 

" He stayed, and so — he lives ! Enough it were 

" To prove such counsel loyal : — it was more ! 

" Its happy issue proves it wise as well. 

" Now, for the fate of Troy, our Seers demand 

" The "Warrior here. Then send! — but send not me: — 

" Send Ajax ! Let his eloquence assuage 43 1 

" The smart of pain and anger, — or his art 

" Devise some specious lure to win him thence ! — 

" Sooner I ween shall Simoi's backward flow, — 

" Sooner shall Ida leafless stand, — or Greece 435 

" That came to conquer stay to succour Troy, — 

" Than, when Ulysses to your service fails, 

" Shall wit of stupid Ajax serve your turn! 

" Yes, Philoctetes ! — unforgiving chafe 

" At host, at King, at me : — upon this head 440 

" Heap endless curses: — thirsty for my blood 

" Implore the Gods to set me in thy reach ! 

" Whatever so befall or me or thee, 

" I promise thee that prayer : — I swear to seek 

" Thine isle and hither bring thee back with me, 445 

" And trust, with Fortune's aid, as well to win 

" Those shafts of thine, as erst from yonder walls 

" I won their captured Prophet, and, with him, 

" The oracular secret of the doom of Troy : — 

" As, after, from all Ilion's guard I won 450 

" The fateful image of the Phrygian Maid. 

" Yet Ajax dares compare himself with me ! 



430 SPEECH OF ULYSSES. [Book XIII. 

" Ajax — who knows that till that prize is won 

" The Fates deny us Troy! — Where does he skulk, 

" This doughty warrior, this big hero loud 455 

" With bigger boast? — Does Ajax hesitate, 

" Does Ajax falter, when Ulysses braves 

" The watchful picket and the perilous night, — 

" Dares all the swords of chance-awakened Troy, — 

" Surmounts her ramparts, — threads her streets, — invades 

" Her inmost heart and citadel, — despoils 461 

" The Temple of its Goddess, — and to Greece 

" Bears back the trophy through his baffled foes 1 — 

" But for which feat of mine, your Ajax' shield, 

" With all its seven tough hides that fence his own, 465 

" Had wrought ye little help ! — That night it was 

" That Troy was won : — and I, whose hand that night 

" Made possible her conquest, conquered her ! 

" Nay — growl not, glance not at Tydides there! 

" He shared the praise, and well his share he won : — 470 

" Nor thou wert single, when before our ships 

" Thou held'st that boasted bulwark of thy shield : — 

" Thou had'st a host to help thee, — I but one : 

" Though such a one as — did his modest sense 

" Not feel that Head is better worth than Hand, 475 

" That Wit in council passes Force in field, — 

" Himself might to this glorious prize assert 

" No despicable claim: such claim as more 

" Than he might urge : — the less-intemperate Chief 

" That shares thy name, or stout Eurypylus, — 480 

" Andrsemon's gallant heir, — Idomeneus, — 

" His Cretan Peer Meriones, — or he 

" The brother of great Atreus' greater son, — 



BookXIIL] SPEECH OF ULYSSES. 43 1 

u Heroes that, bold in peril as thyself, 

" Forbear to match the warrior with the sage, 485 

" And bow their claims to mine. Thy hand is good 

"In battle, but thy head demands control: — 

" Thy brainless strength is for the moment spent; 

" My care forecasts the future : — Thou canst fight, 

" But Atreus' son and I must tell thee when ! 490 

" Thy use is but of body, mine of mind ! 

" Who with the galley's skilful Captain ranks 

" The mere mechanic oarsman 1 Who compares 

" The trooper with the General ? Such art thou 

" Measured with me. The head and not the hand 495 

" Counts most in man. I thank the Gods that gave 

" The greater vigour to the nobler part ! 

" But you, Princes, for the sleepless care 
" Of all these years repay your watchman here, 
" And with this guerdon for the service past 500 

" Assure the service of all time to come ! 
" Your toils approach their end. Fate bars no more 
"Your road: — 'twas I who swept the pathway clear: — 
" This hand, that made it possible to win 
" Yon town, hath won it ! — By our common hopes ! — 505 
" By Troy's doomed ramparts tottering to their fall ! — 
" By that great Goddess wrested from the foe ! — 
" By aught that yet may hap to claim the aid 
" Of calmer counsel ! — aught that yet may ask 
" Unhesitating valour's instant blow ! — 510 

" Aught lacking yet to seal the fate of Troy ! — 
" Forget not that Ulysses still is yours ! 
" And, if ye will not give these arms to Me, 
" Give them to This ! " — and from his vest he drew 



432 STORY OF HECUBA, [Book XIII. 

The fateful image of the Maid of War. 515 

And, with one impulse moved, the applauding Chiefs 
Confessed the mighty power of eloquence, 
And gave the Orator the Hero's arms. 

But he whose single prowess braved so oft 
All Troy with fire and sword, who dared defy 520 

The spear of Hector and the bolt of Jove, 
With his own anger lacked the strength to cope, 
And passion conquered whom none conquered else. 
Furious his sword he seized: — " Thou still, at least," 
He cried — "art mine, if not Ulysses claims 525 

" Thee also — mine, to wield against myself! 
" Good blade, so often drunk with Trojan blood, 
" Drink now thy Lord's ! — for by no meaner hand 
" Than Ajax' own may Ajax risk to fall! " 
And to his breast, then wounded first, he set 530 

The point, and drove so deep the deadly steel 
That the faint hand lacked force to pluck it forth; — 
The rushing blood expelled it : — and the turf 
Impregnate with the shower that dyed its green 
To crimson, blossomed with the self-same flower 535 

That erst had birth from Hyacinthus' wound, 
And in its graven cup memorial bears 
Of either fate, — the characters that shape 
Apollo's wailing cry, and Ajax' name. 

II. Thence to the isle that bore Hypsipyle 540 

And Thoas, infamous with ancient stain 
Of husbands murdered in their bridal-night, 
The victor passed the seas, — to carry back, 
For Greece, the fateful shafts of Hercules, 



Book XIIL] POLYXENA, AND POLYDORUS. 433 

And him who held them. So at last was struck 545 

The final blow of that long-lingering war, 
And Troy and Priam fell, and Priam's Queen 
Survived that sorrow but in bestial shape, 
With hideous howl to vex the winds of Thrace. 

Red with the blaze of unextinguished Troy 550 

Plung lurid o'er the waters, through his strait 
Boiled Hellespontus yet. Jove's altar-stone 
Had drunk the feeble stream of Priam's blood. 
The shrieking Priestess, from Apollo's shrine 
Dragged by her locks, had spread her hands to Heaven 
In impotent appeal. While yet they clasped 556 

The sculptured forms of their ancestral Gods, 
Yet clinging to their charred and smouldering fanes, 
Ilion had seen her daughters torn, the prize 
And spoil of wrangling Greeks. Astyanax 560 

Had perished, from the self-same turret hurled 
Where many a time and oft his mother's hand 
Had led her boy, and showed him where his Sire, 
For him, and for the realm his Fathers swayed, 
Waged gallant battle in the field below. 565 

And now the north wind whistled in the shrouds 
Urging to sail, and the impatient crews 
Bade use the favouring breeze. " Pare well ! Farewell ! 
" Beloved Troy ! they tear us from thy shores ! " 
The wailing captives cry, and stoop, and kiss 570 

The sacred soil, and turn, and quit for aye 
Their home's yet smoking ruins. Last of all, 
Of all the saddest sight, comes Hecuba : — 
Amid her buried sons, with fond embrace 
And weeping kisses pressed on every tomb, 575 

2 E 



434 STORY OF HECUBA, [Book XIII. 

Ulysses found and forced her to the ships, 

Laden with one sole relic, — to her breast 

Clasping the urn that held her Hector's dust, 

In sad exchange for her own silver locks 

Strewn on his tomb, — poor funeral gift, — yet all 580 

She has to give, her tresses and her tears ! 

Fronting the Phrygian shores where yesterday 
Troy stood, Bistonia lies ; — the wealthy realm 
Of Polymestor, to whose charge consigned, 
For safeguard from the war that shook his State, 585 

Priam had sent his youngest, Polydore ; — 
More wisely, had he spared to load his boy 
With the too lavish gold that spurred to guilt 
The Thracian's greedy soul. When fortune frowned 
On Troy, the murderous Guardian slew his Ward, 590 

And from a headland flung him to the waves, 
And with the body thought to drown the crime. 
By Thrace — till smoother seas and fairer gales — 

The King had moored the fleet ; when,- from the shore 

Wide-yawning, sudden rose Achilles' Shade! 595 

Tall looked he, as in life, — his threatening brow 

Dark as when, 'mid the Kings, with hand on sword 

His wrongful anger blazed at Atreus' Son. 

" What ! part ye so " — he cried — " ungrateful Greeks ! 

" Forget ye thus Achilles 1 Does the grave 600 

" Bury with him the memory of his worth? 

" I warn ye ! Let my tomb have honours due, 

" And slain Polyxena appease my Shade ! " 
He said, — nor Greece refused her great Ally 

The cruel claim, and from her Mother's breast 605 

Its last sad solace tore. The hapless Maid 



Book XIIL] POLYXENA, AND POLYDORUS. 435 

Yet resolute, by the strong soul upheld 
That made her more than "Woman, to the tomb 
Was led to die, and, at the altar-foot, 

True to herself, unblenching eyed the rite 610 

Commenced, and Pyrrhus, ready to the Priest 
To hand the fatal knife, with earnest gaze 
Fixed wondering on the face that showed no fear. 
" Strike ! I am ready ! Spill this generous blood ! 
" In throat or bosom sheathe your knife ! " — and here 615 
Bosom and throat she bared — " Ye cannot deem 
" Polyxena would deign to live a Slave ! 
" Rather come Death ! Though with such sacrifice 
" Ye win no grace of any God in Heaven ! 
" Yet happier could I die, so of my fate 620 

" My mother knew not: — 'tis that only thought 
" That of its perfect welcome stints your blow! 
" Though, — for her tears, — her life, and not my death, 
" Should justlier ask their shedding. Please ye, press 
" Less closely on me, — 'tis not much to ask, — 625 

" My Ghost will freelier seem to seek the Shades j — 
" And uncontaminate by the touch of man, 
" As maid should die, dismiss me ! Better so 
" The Power, whoe'er he be, ye think to please 
" "Will thank ye for my blood! — If yet one word, 630 

" The last these lips may speak, can touch your hearts, 
" 'Tis Priam's child, the daughter of a King, 
" No nameless slave, beseeches ye to grant 
" Her corse unransomed to her mother's arms : — 
" Let tears, not gold, redeem it! — Gold enough 635 

" She paid ye for such bargains while she could ! " 
She said : — nor in the throng was cheek unwet 



436 STORY OF HECUBA, [Book XIII. 

With weeping save her own: — the very Priest, 

Whose knife was buried in her proffered breast, 

Unwilling struck, and blinded by his tears. 640 

But she, as to the earth with failing knees 

She sank, intrepid to the last, her robe 

Drew round her form, and from the vulgar gaze 

Concealed what virgin-modesty should hide. 

The wailing Captives raise her corse, and count 645 

The long sad tale of Priam's slaughtered line, 

And all the blood one House has shed for Troy. 

Thee, Maiden, they lament, and thee, but late 

A royal wife and mother, Asia's boast, 

Now the sad sport of Fate; — the slave whom scarce 650 

Ulysses, but for that great son she bore, 

Had deigned to claim for booty; — Hector's fame 

So hardly for his Mother finds a Lord ! 

But o'er the corse, void of its gallant soul, 

The wretched matron hangs: — the tears, so oft 655 

Ere now for husband, sons, and country shed, 

Her daughter claims anew : — with these she bathes 

Her wound, and to the cold lips glues her own, 

And beats her breast, alas ! too used to blows, 

And trails on earth her hoary locks defiled 660 

With clotted gore, and ever with fresh wound 

Dealt on her bleeding bosom makes her moan : — 

" Liest thou there, my Daughter, of my griefs 

" The last — for what of grief remains beyond 1 — 

" To wound afresh thy Mother with thy wound? 665 

" Thou too — lest any sprung of Hecuba 

" Should 'scape a bloody death — thou too must bleed ! 

" Methought a woman had been safe from steel, — 



Book XIIL] POLYXENA, AND POLYDORUS. 437 

" And lo ! the steel is in thy woman's heart ! 

" The hand that slew thy brothers slays thyself, 670 

" That bane of Troy, that murderer of our House, 

" Achilles !— When he fell, by Paris' shaft 

" And Phoebus pierced, ' Thank Heaven ! ' I cried, ' no more 

u ' Need we to fear Achilles ! ' — Then, and still, 

" I should have feared him! Even his dust pursues 675 

" My race, and from the tomb I feel the foe ! 

" Alas ! 'twas but for Peleus' bloody Son 

" That Hecuba was fruitful !— Mighty Troy 

" Lies low in ruin, and the public woe 

" Ends with her fall : — for me alone, meseems, 680 

" She rests uncaptured, and my sorrows yet 

" Not reach their close. I, who but yesterday 

" Was greatest of the World, whose husband swayed 

" A Kingdom, and whose children matched with Kings, 

" Torn from the tombs of all I loved, am dragged 685 

" To want and exile, that Penelope 

" May point me, toiling at some menial task, 

" To the proud dames of Ithaca, and say 

" ' Yon slave was Hector's Mother, Priam's wife ! ' 

" And now thou too, my one sad comfort left, 690 

" Must crown the count of all my loved and lost ! 

" Eor this I bore thee ! at yon tomb to bleed 

" A funeral gift to soothe a hostile ghost! 

" Am I of iron 1 — else why live I still 1 

" What further ill hath cursed age in store 1 695 

" What woe, what death remains to witness yet, 

" Ye cruel Gods, that thus ye make me strong 

" To suffer and survive 1 — When Ilion fell 

" Could any dream that Priam's lot might yet 



433 STORY OF HECUBA, [Book XIII. 

" Be envied? — my Husband, West in Death, 700 

" Not spared to see the murder of thy child, 

" And reft at once of Kingdom and of life ! 

" At least, as fits the daughter of a King 

" "Will she he buried, 'mid the sepulchres 

" Where sleep her Sires — alas! for me and mine 705 

" Eests no such honour now ! Thy funeral gifts 

" Must be thy Mother's tears, and exiled hands 

" With foreign dust bestrew thy nameless grave ! 

" So lose I all, save one ! For one alone 

" Yet for a little space I bear to live, 710 

" My Polydorus, dearest of my sons, 

" My youngest once but now my all in one, 

" Yet safe, thank Heaven, in Polymestor's charge, 

" Whom soon — But first in yonder cleansing flood 

" "lis time I lave this ghastly wound, and wash 715 

c ' The stain of slaughter from these pallid cheeks ! 

" Give me an urn, my Troades ! " And slow, 

Eending her silver tresses as she went, 

She tottered to the shore — to find, upcast 

Upon the beach, her Polydorus' corse 720 

Gashed with the traitor Thracian's bloody steel ! 

Loud shrieked the train : — but mute, with woe too big 

For speech or tears, the orphaned Mother stood, 

All vent of grief by very grief denied, 

Eigid, and stone-like, save the shifting glance 725 

Now stern on Earth, now frantic raised to Heaven; — 

Now the pale face, and now the cruel wounds 

She scans, — these most ; — and kindling, as she counts 

The gashes, into fury fans her ire, 

And, as she yet were absolute Queen, decrees 730 



Book XIII.] POLYXENA, AND POLYDORUS. 439 

The Thracian's death, and filled with that sole thought, 

Broods o'er the means and moment of revenge. 

As raging through the wood the lioness, 

Kobbed of her suckling whelp, pursues the track 

Left by the unseen spoiler's flying foot, — 735 

So, — vengeance nerving grief, — all sense of age 

In resolute purpose lost, — goes Hecuba 

Straight to the author of that bloody deed, 

And craves an audience, with pretence of gold 

Yet secret-saved and destined for her boy. 740 

Lured by that bait the greedy Thracian comes 

With all fair show of greeting. " Lose no time, 

" For thy son's sake, Queen ! — Whate'er thou hast 

" To give, for Polydore shall be as safe 

"As what thou gav'st before: — by all the Gods 745 

" I swear it ! " Fiercely, as the perjurer spoke 

She glared upon him; — then the pent-up wrath 

Outburst, and furious, as her captive-train 

Closed round the prisoner, at his face she sprang, 

So frenzy lent her strength, and with her nails 750 

From out the sockets tore the lying eyes, 

And in their hollows plunged her fingers, foul 

With guilty gore, and, rifled of their orbs, 

Eavaged and spoiled the very seats of sight ! 

Bnt fierce in vengeance for their slaughtered King 755 
The Thracians, hailing shower of darts and stones, 
Assailed the band : — and lo ! with currish snarl 
Amid the hurtling missiles Hecuba 
Snapped at the stones, and striving yet for speech 
But growled and barked, a Bitch ! — (the spot that saw 760 
The change, thence-named, bears witness to the tale, — ) 



440 THE FUNERAL OF MEMNON. [Book XIII. 

And long, as mourning yet her ancient woes, 

With dismal howlings roamed Sithonia's fields, 

Pitied of Greek as Trojan, foe as friend, 

And pitied so in Heaven of all the Gods, 765 

That Jove's own Spouse and Sister owned her fate 

Unjust, and for too cruel blamed the doom. 

III. Friend as she was to both, Aurora lacked 
The time to mourn Troy's overthrow or weep 
The woes of Hecuba: — a nearer grief, 770 

A Mother's sorrow for her Memnon slain, 
Touched her too deeply. In that Phrygian strife 
Pierced by Achilles' lance she saw him fall, 
And, as she saw, the roseate flush of morn 
Paled from her brow, and Heaven grew dim with cloud. 
Nor on the last sad rites of pyre and torch 776 

Bore she to look; — but, with dishevelled locks, 
Flung suppliant at the feet of mighty Jove, 
Broken with frequent weeping made her prayer. 
" Least of the Dwellers in the golden Sky, 780 

" And rarest graced with temple by mankind, 
" A Goddess yet I come, but not to crave 
" Guerdon of shrine or sacrificial rite 
" Or blaze of altar-fires: — though, would'st thou weigh 
" The debt thy Empire owes to her whose watch 785 

" At dawning guards the frontiers of the day, 
" My service well might claim them. With no suit 
" For meed or honour comes Aurora now: — 
" My tears, my prayers, are for my Memnon lost, 
" Memnon, my son, who in his uncle's cause 790 

" Too vainly battling, by Achilles' spear 



Book XIIL] THE FUNERAL OF MEMNON. 44 1 

" Fell in his prime — for so Ye willed ids fall! 

" Hear me, great Sovereign of the Gods, and grant 

" My gallant boy some solace of his death, 

" And with the boon assuage a Mother's grief ! " 795 

So prayed the weeping Goddess : — and, as Jove 
Xodded assent, the hero's blazing pyre 
Collapsed ; — thick clouds of sable-volunied smoke 
Discoloured day; — as when the river-niists 
Thickening to fog allow no beam of Sun 800 

To pierce beneath. A black and ashy dust 
In eddies tossed, condensing as it whirls, 
Of natal heat impregnate, orbs itself 
To substance, body, living shape, and life ; 
Takes wings of its own lightness, — seems a bird, 805 

And is the bird it seems, — and winnows air 
With audible beat of pinions. More and more, 
A thousand sisters of the self-same birth 
Flutter to life; and thrice around the pyre 
They wheel, and thrice in concert send to Heaven 810 

A clamorous cry. Then, in two separate camps 
With their fourth circuit parted, meet in air, 
Contending hosts, and fierce with beak and claw 
Wage battle, till, with weariness and wounds 
Exhausted, on the pyre from which they rose 815 

For funeral-gifts they fall, and warrior-like 
Die emulous of the Sire from whom they sprang. 
Memnon who gave them being, gives them name, 
Memnonides : — and still, as Phoebus rounds 
The twelve great Signs, annual they reappear 820 

To fight and perish o'er their Parent's tomb. — 

So, 'mid the general dole for Hecuba 



442 



THE VOYAGE OF AENEAS. 



[Book XIII. 



Transformed, Aurora for her proper woe 
Alone found tears, and still, with pious grief 
Eenewed and daily weeping, dews the World. 



; 25 



830 



835 



IY. Yet not all Hope, even in that wreck of Troy, 
The Fates allowed to perish. With his Gods 
A sacred load, nor, sacred less, his Sire, 
Upon his shoulders borne, (of all the wealth 
Around held worthiest saving,) and his hoy 
Ascanius, Cytherea's hero-son 
To exile passed, and from Antandros' port 
Spread to the breeze his sails. The guilty shores 
Of Thrace, yet red with Polydorus' blood, 
Were left behind; and, helped by wind and wave, 
At Delos rode the fleet, where, King and Priest, 
Loved of the realm he swayed, the God he served, 
Euled Anius o'er Apollo's darling isle. 
Welcome alike to palace and to fane 
He gave them;- — showed his town, his temples, rich 
With votive wealth, and those twin sacred stems 
Of palm and olive that in travail-pang 
Latona clasped of yore : and, after rite 
Of incense to his altar, and of wine, 
And entrails of slain heifers duly burned, 
High placed on tapestried couches set in hall 
His honoured guests, and with all generous gifts 
Of Ceres and of Bacchus piled the board. 
Then thus Anchises : — " Or my memory errs, 
" Phoebus' chosen Priest, or when long since 
" Pirst in these halls I sate, a gallant son 
" And daughters fair — twice twain methinks — were thine." 



840 



345 



850 



Book XIII.] THE DAUGHTERS OF ANIUS. 443 

Shaking the snowy fillet on his brows 

Sad answered Anius : — " Hero ! all too well 

" Thy memory serves. Of five dear children then 855 

" Thou saw'st me Sire, whom now, so chance and change 

" Sport with all human weal, thou seest bereft 

" "Well-nigh of all; for, in that distant isle, 

" Andros, that bears his name, my absent son, 

" Vicegerent in my place, to me is lost. 860 

" Him Phoebus gifted with prophetic power; 

" But Liber with a boon my girls endowed 

" Past hope, past credence, past all woman's claim ; — 

" Whate'er they touched their touch at will could turn 

" To corn, or juice of olive or of grape; 865 

" And wealth and plenty from their fingers flowed. 

" The scourge of Troy, Atrides, heard their fame; 

(" For deem not but at distance here we felt 

" The storm that burst on you,) and by main force 

" Dragged from their Sire the all-unwilling Maids, 870 

" And bade them ply their heavenly gift to feed 

" His Argive fleet. But from his power they fled 

" Each as she could : — two gained Euboea's isle, 

" And two, at Andros, in their brother's court 

" Found brief escape, for hot came armed pursuit 875 

" And claim, and, for refusal, threat of war. 

" Forgive the timid brother that his fear 

" Mastered his love, and to their punishment 

" Yielded his sisters : — no iEneas there, 

" No Hector stood, through ten long years of siege 880 

" To shield his Andros as they shielded Troy. 

" And now the gyves to bind their captive wrists 

" Were forged and ready, when, in last appeal 



444 THE VOYAGE OF ^NEAS. [Book XIII. 

" To Heaven they flung their yet-unfettered arms, — 

" ' Help us ! great Father Bacchus ! ' and the God 885 

" Who gave their gift gave help, if help it were 

" That seemed destruction. In what wondrous wise 

" The change of nature and of form was wrought 

" I learned not then, nor can I tell ye now : — 

" My loss is all I know, — and that aloft 890 

" They soared in likeness of the snowy doves 

" That draw the chariot of thy Goddess-Bride." 

Y. So with that tale, and more, the feast was sped, — 
The tables drawn; — and night was given to sleep. 
But with the dawn the Exiles rose and sought 895 

Counsel of Heaven; — and, for reply, the voice 
Oracular of Phoebus bade them seek 
Their ancient Mother and a Kindred-shore. 
Down to the beach King Anius led his guests 
With parting gifts to either: — to the Sire 900 

A sceptre ; to the Boy a mantle fair 
And quiver ; to ^Eneas' self a bowl 
Long since in thanks for hospitality 
By Theban Thersus from Aonia sent, 

The work of Mylian Alcon, carven fair 905 

With ample record of an ancient tale. 
Graven, distinct with all the seven proud Gates 
That told its name, a famous City stood; 
And underneath the walls, 'mid funeral rite 
And torch and pyre and tomb, with tresses loose 910 

And garments rent, the Matrons of the State 
Made public mourning. By their dried-up founts 
The Naiads seemed to weep : — the gaunt brown trees 



Book XIII. ] THE VOYAGE OF ^ENEAS. 445 

Stood bare of foliage, — and the hungry goat 

Gnawed at a herbless rock. And, in mid Thebes 915 

You saw Orion's Daughters : — this, with more 

Than woman's courage baring to the steel 

Her bosom, — that, in death-swoon with the blade 

Deep in her heart, — self-immolate to save 

A perishing people. There the funeral train 920 

Was shown, and there in public place the pyre; 

And from the virgin-ashes seemed to spring, 

Lest that brave race should fail, the Twins whom Fame 

Coronse calls, to lead the mournful pomp 

Around their patriot-mothers' honoured tomb. 925 

Life-like in burnished brass the figures shone; 

And over all the vessel's brim was rough 

With chaplet of Acanthus wrought in gold. 

VI. VII. The grateful Trojans answer gift with gift 
Xor less in worth: — a censer to the Priest 930 

They offer and a bowl; and to the King 
Radiant with gems a crown of ruddy gold. 
Thence, mindful how of Teucer's blood they sprang, 
To Crete the Teucrians steered, nor long endured 
That noxious air infect with pestilence; — 935 

But, glad to leave the hundred-citied Isle, 
Bore for Ausonia's havens. Tempest-tossed 
A while for shelter from the storm they sought 
The Strophad Isles; but from the ungenerous port 
The Harpy-pest Aello drove them forth. 940 

And now Dulichium, Same, Ithaca, 
The realm of old Laertes' subtle son, 
And ^Neritus, with fairer breeze were passed. 



. 



446 THE VOYAGE OF .ENEAS. [Book XIII. 

Ambracia, erst contested of the Gods, 

They coasted, and the rock that of the Judge 945 

Transformed bears uncouth likeness ; wider now 

Kenowned for great Apollo's Actian fane : — 

And by Dodona's consecrated groves 

Of vocal oak, and that Chaonian gulf 

Where legend tells how King Molossus' sons, 950 

Changed into birds, escaped the baffled flames. 

Thence, by Phaeacia's happy orchard-plots 
Golden with fruit, adown Epirus' coast 
Borne southward, at Buthrotos' port they touch, 
Where Helenus, King Priam's prophet-son, 955 

With Phrygian sceptre rules a mimic Troy. 
And by his prescience taught what future home 
The Pates design them, to Sicania's Isle 
Address their course. Three jutting tongues of land 
Sicania points to sea: — Pachynos fronts 960 

The showers of Auster; softer Zephyrus 
On Lilyboeum plays; Pelorus looks 
On Boreas and the never-setting Bear. 
Towards this the Trojans steer, and, as the night 
Descends, with help of oar and favouring tide 965 

Their galleys moor on Zancle's sandy beach, 
Where Scylla and Charybdis to the left 
And right infest the seas. This swallows down 
The whirling bark to spew it forth a wreck : — 
That, o'er the zone of ravenous dogs that belts 970 

Her horrible waist, a virgin's face presents, 
Once — if not all be false that Bards have sung — 
A virgin perfect-fair, and wooed in vain 
Of many a youth. Gladlier with Ocean's lymphs 



Book XIIL] STORY OF ACIS AND GALATEA. 447 

Consorting and of Ocean's Nymphs beloved, 975 

To these the scornful Maid would count her list 

Of baffled lovers : — whom, as once she sleeked 

The locks of Galatea, with a sigh 

The Sea-Nymph thus bespoke : — " 'Tis free to thee, 

" Maiden, to spurn the not ungentle love 980 

" Of thine own race : — but I, who spring of Gods 

" Nereus and Doris, — I, who in this band 

" Of sister Ocean-Nymphs might seem secure, 

" No refuge from the Cyclops' passion found 

" Save in these waves ! " — Tears choked her farther 

speech : — 985 

The pitying Scylla's marble fingers wiped 
The tears away, and tenderly she spake, 
" Tell me, Goddess dear, nor from thy friend, 
" For thou canst trust me, hide thy sorrow's cause ! " 
Then thus the Nereid to Cratseis' child : — 990 

" Of Faunus and the Nymph Symaethis born 
" Was Acis, dear to both, but dearer far 
" To me. The doubtful down of sixteen years 
" Fringed soft the beauteous stripling's tender cheek; 
" And me alone he loved, and him alone 995 

" I followed, as the Cyclops followed me. 
" Would'st ask which burned the livelier, or my love 
" For Acis, or my hate for Polypheme, 
" I could not tell thee, — both were equal strong. 
" Sweet Yenus, what almighty sway is thine! 1000 

" This savage, dreadful to the very woods, 
" Whose bloody hands no traveller 'scaped alive, 
" This scorner of Olympus and the Gods, 
" Feels what it is to love, and, passion-fired 



448 STORY OF ACIS AND GALATEA. [Book XIII. 



" For me, neglects his cavern and his flock, — 1005 

" Thinks only of his looks and how to please, — 

" Combs with a rake his rugged fell of hair, — 

" Trims with a reaping-hook his shaggy beard, — 

" And in the fountain's mirror practises 

" His truculent face to smiles. His rage, his love 1010 

" Of slaughter, and his thirst immense of blood 

" Forsake his softened breast: — and to the isle 

" The mariner comes safe, and safe departs. 

" That season, to Sicilian ^Etna's slopes 

" A traveller came the Augur Telemus, 1015 

" With certain presage of the Fates endowed 

" To read all flight of birds. ' Beware ! ' he cried, 

" l Polyphemus ! fatal to the eye 

" ' Set single in thy brow Ulysses comes ! ' 

" With scornful laugh the Cyclops answered him: — 1020 

" ' dullest thou and falsest of all Seers! 

" ; 'Tis blinded now, with Love ! Another here 

" ' Hath fatal been before him ! ' — And he turned 

" Contemptuous from the truthful monitor, 

" And moodily with giant foot-track ploughed 1025 

" The sands, and flung him weary in his cave. 

" A hill there stands, with wedge-like promontory 
" Far stretching out to sea, on either side 
" Washed by the waters. To its midmost ridge 
" The Cyclops climbed and sate: — his woolly charge, 1030 
" Unguided now, spontaneous followed him. 
" The uprooted pine, fit for some galley's mast, 
" That served him for a staff, was laid aside, 
"And to his lips his pipe of hundred reeds 
" Compact he set, and with his hissing breath 1035 



Book XIII. ] STORY OF ACIS AND GALATEA. 449 

" Blew, till the keen and shrilling pastoral 
" O'er all the mountains rang and all the seas. 
"I, in a rock's cool grot, on Acis' breast 
" Eeclined lay listening, as — for all I heard 
" Yet stands impressed on memory — thus he sang. 1040 
" ' Galatea ! whiter than the leaf 
" ' Of snowy privet, fresher than the meads 
" ' In spring-time, shapelier than the alder-tree, 
" ' Brighter than glass, more wanton than the kid, 
" ' Sleeker than Ocean's smoothest-polished shell, 1045 
" ' Dearer than Winter's Sun or Summer's shade, 
tl i Fairer than apples, statelier than the plane, 
" ' Clearer than ice, sweeter than ripened grape, 
11 ' Softer than swan's-down or new-clotted cream, 
" ' And lovelier than all coloured flowers that deck 1050 
" ' The watered garden, — so thou would'st not fly ! — 
" ' Yet, Galatea ! harder to he tamed 
" ' Than yet-unbroken steer, than knotted oak 
" ' ]\iore stubborn, falser than the treacherous waves, 
" ' Subtler than willow-twig or tendrilled vine 1055 

" ' To wind and turn and twist, more hard than rock 
" ' To move, more headstrong than the stream in flood, 
" ' Prouder than peacock, crueller than fire, 
" ' Eougher than burrs, fiercer than nursing bear, 
" ' Deafer than Ocean's surges, spitefuller 1060 

" ' Than is the trodden snake, and ah! — what most 
" ' Of all thy faults I would I could unteach — 
" ' Swifter than deer before the yelping pack 
" ' And lighter than the winged winds to fly ! 
" ' Yet — would'st thou but reflect, thyself would'st blame 
" ' Thy wilful coyness, and repent thy flight; 1066 

2f 



450 STORY OF ACIS AND GALATEA. [Book XIII. 

" ' Thyself wonld'st rather court me to thy side: — 

" ' For mine are all the caverns on the hills 

" ' Arched in the living rock, by Summer Suns 

" ' Unscorched, and sheltered from the Winter's cold : — 

" ' My orchards bend with apples: — from my vines 107 1 

" ' The grapes in countless clusters hang of gold 

" 'Or purple, both alike for thee preserved: — 

" ' Thine own fair hands beneath my sylvan shades 

" ' Shall pluck wild strawberries : — thyself shalt reap 1075 

" ' Harvest of autumn-come], or of plum 

" ' Bursting with purple juice, or of that kind 

" ' More noble, golden, fair as virgin wax. 

" l Nor fruit of chestnut nor of arbutus — 

" ' Be thou but mine — shall lack: — of all my trees 1080 

" ' Pluck where thou wilt, for all shall be thine own! 

" ' Mine are these flocks thou seest, nor only these: — 

" ' The pasturing vales, the sheltering woods, the caves 

" ' That are my stalls, are full with thousands more: — 

" ' I could not, should' st thou ask me, reckon them! 1085 

" ' Let paupers count their stock ! — and, for their worth, 

" ' Trust not my praise: — thyself may'st see, — the ewes 

" ' Scarce home can drag their laden udder's weight 

" ' To the warm folds where lies my younger wealth 

" ' Of lambkin and of kid. Never of milk 1090 

" ' My bowls are void, whereof for beverage 

" ' Part serves and part curds hardened into cheese. 

" ' Nor shall these easy joys, or vulgar gifts 

" ' Of fawn, or leveret, kid, or fledgling pair 

" ' Of turtles from the nest, alone be thine: — 1095 

" ' Late in the mountains, for thy playfellows, 

" ' A shaggy bear's twin-cubs I found, so like 



Book XIIL] STORY OF ACIS AND GALATEA. 45 I 

" ' That scarce thou canst distinguish this from that, — 

" ' And for my charmer keep the pretty prize. 

" ' Come, Galatea ! come, nor spurn my gifts ! 1 100 

" ' Methinks I know myself; — but late I saw 

" ' This face reflected in the fount, nor found 

" ' The sight unpleasing. See, how big I am ! 

" ' Jove's self not bigger — if that Jove there be 

" ' Men prate of in the Skies ! My locks profuse 1 105 

" ' O'ershade my brow and shoulders like a grove ! 

" ' Nor hold it blemish that my limbs are rough 

" l With thick and bristly fell : — does any praise 

" ' The leafless tree 1 "What worth the horse whose neck 

" ' No flowing mane adorns 1 — The bird with plumes, 1 1 10 

M ' The sheep with wool for ornament is clad : — 

" ' And beard and bushy hair are ornament 

" ' That best becomes a Man ! — And if my brow 

" ' Bears but a single eye, that single eye 

" ' Is orbed and blazing like a warrior's shield! 1 1 15 

" ' How looks from yon broad Heavens o'er all the world 

" ' The glorious Sun 1 — but with a single eye ! 

" ' Add, that the God who gave me birth is Lord 

" * Of all your Seas ! No meaner Sire-in-law 

" ' I proffer to my Bride. — Be pitiful 1 120 

" ' And grant his prayer who never prayed before 

" ' To any else ! Yea ! I, who laugh to scorn 

" ' Your Jove and all his Heaven and all his bolts, 

" ' Adore thee, Nereid ! than the lightning's wrath 

" ' More dread the anger of those flashing eyes ! 1 1 25 

" ; And yet, more patient could I bear thy scorn 
" ' Were it for all alike: — but why repulse 
" ' A Cyclops for this Acis 1 why prefer 



452 STORY OF ACIS AND GALATEA. [Book XIII. 

" ' His arms to mine 1 — But howsoe'er the fool 

" ' May please himself or — what is worse — please thee, — 

" ' Give me the chance, and he shall find my strength 1 13 1 

" ' Proportioned to my frame ! This hand shall tear 

" ' The heart from out his living quivering breast, 

" ' And fling his mangled limbs o'er all the fields, 

" ' Ay, o'er the very waters, — so alone 1135 

" ' With thee to mingle! — For this passion burns 

" ' Within me, and disdain but fans the flame 

" ' It thinks to quench: — all iEtna with its fires 

" ' Lodged in my tortured bosom seems to rage, 

" ' And Galatea pities not my pain ! ' 1 140 

" So, starting from his seat, his bootless plaint 
" The Cyclops ceased; and chafing, like the bull 
" That for his missing heifer quests the mead, 
" We watched him, restless pacing to and fro 
" His wonted wood-path, till, as round he glared, 1145 

" Where hidden, as we thought, secure we lay, 
" His furious glance on me and Acis fell! 
" 1 1 see ye both ! ' he yelled — ' 'Tis there ye meet ! 
" ' Then there ye meet no more ! ' With such a voice 
" He roared as roars a Cyclops in his wrath! 1150 

" I to the neighbouring waves in terror sprang 
" And plunged: — the hapless Acis turned to fly: — 
" ' Help, Galatea ! help me, parents mine ! ' 
" He shrieked — ' I perish ! take me to your realms ! ' 
" But from the rock the following Cyclops tore 1155 

" And furious hurled a craggy mass, so huge, 
" That by the extreme angle of the stone, 
(" For but its angle struck him,) overwhelmed 
" And crushed all Acis lay ! — What yet the Fates 



Book XIIL] STORY OF GLAUCUS AND SCYLLA. 453 

" Could grant, — ancestral attribute and rank 1 160 

" Among his watery Eace, we gave the Dead. 

" The blood exuding crimson from the rock 

11 Dripped soon with paler red, and in brief space 

" Such hue assuming as the river-flood 

" Turbid with recent rain-fall, gradual purged 1 165 

" Itself to clearness. Then a sudden cleft 

" Yawned in the stone, and through the rift up-shot 

" Tall lance-like shafts of bulrush and of reed, 

" And from the widening hollow resonant 

" The waters leaped and flashed. More wonder yet — 1 1 7 o 

" Above the flood, waist-deep, his budding horns 

" With garland bound of flag and sedge, arose 

" A youthful form that, but for added bulk 

" And stature and caerulean tint of cheek, 

" Seemed like my Acis ; — and my Acis' self 1 175 

" Even thus it was; — but Acis to a stream 

" Transformed that yet its ancient name retains." 

V lll- So closed the tale, and, as the Xereid ceased 
The fair assembly parted; — to the waves 
The Sea-Xymphs; — Scylla, to the deeper flood 1180 

Afraid to trust herself, now paced unrobed 
The thirsty sands, now, in some cool recess 
Where calm and land-locked lay the shallower wave, 
Eefreshed her weary limbs. And, as she bathes, 
Cleaving the deep comes Glaucus, denizen 1185 

Of Ocean new-enrolled, whose change but late 
Anthedon witnessed in Eubcea's isle. 
By that fair sight arrested, passion-spelled 
He gazed, and. with all gentle words essayed 



454 STORY OF GLAUCUS AND SCYLLA. [Book XIII. 

To stay her flight; for terrified she fled, 1190 

Nor paused, till on a hill-top by the shore, — 

A bluff whose cone-like summit bare of trees 

Sloped steeply to the beach, — she stood, and thence 

Secure could gaze below; and, yet in doubt 

If monster of the Deep or Ocean-God 1 195 

He were, with wonder marked his hue, his locks 

Adown his shoulders spread and o'er his back, 

And how below the groin the nobler shape 

Of man in wriggling fishy tail was lost. 

He saw, and, resting on a rock his arm, 1200 

Bespoke her: — "Fairest Maid! no prodigy 

" Thou seest, no cruel monster of the Main : — 

" A Water-God am I ! Not Proteus' self, 

" Not Triton, not Palsemon in the seas 

" Holds higher place; — though but a mortal late 1205 

" I was, whose only joy was in the Deep 

" Whereby I lived, or dragging in my nets 

" Ashore the finny draught, or from the rocks 

" Plying the angler's slender rod and line. 

" Along my native shores a level tract 1 2 10 

" There lies, betwixt the pastures and the sea, 
" Green to the eye; but of its herbage rank 
" And coarse nor horned heifer cares to taste, 
" Nor sheep, nor browsing goat. The busy bee 
" Bears thence no honeyed treasure to the hive: — 12 15 
" Nor ever garland yields it for the brows 
" Of youth or maid : — there never comes the swain 
" With scythe or sickle. First of men, methinks, 
" I chanced to seek the spot, and set me down 
" Beside my drying nets, to reckon o'er, 1220 



Book XIII.] STORY OF GLAUCUS AND SCYLLA. 455 

" Flung out before me on trie scanty grass, 

" The fortune of the morn, — what scaly prey 

" My mesh had prisoned, or the treacherous bait 

" Lured to my hook. Strange as my tale may seem, 

" 'Tis true — what should it profit me to lie'? — 1225 

" Soon as that grass they touched, reanimate 

" I saw my captives leap, and flounce, and ply 

" Their active fins, as though the Earth were Sea ; — 

" And, stupid at the marvel as I stared, 

" Lo ! all my prizes to their parent-main 1230 

" Had slipped, and left their captor on the shore, 

" His mouth agape with wonder ! — Long I stood 

" In inward question of the portent's cause : — 

" Some God perchance, methought : — or could it be 

" Some power occult and virtue of those herbs'? 1235 

" ' Yet sure no force can be in these ! ' I said, 

" And stooped and plucked a handful of the blades, 

" And set them to my lips, and tried their taste. 

" But scarce my palate with the unwonted juice 

" Was moistened, when strange fluttering at my heart. 

" I felt, and sudden yearning past control 1241 

" For new existence woke, and seaward urged 

" My hurrying feet. ' Farewell ! for ever left 

" ' Earth ! ' I cried — and plunged amid the waves ! 

" To honoured fellowship the watery Powers 1245 

" Eeceived me, and whate'er I yet retained 

" Of mortal nature prayed Oceanus 

" And Tethys to expunge. These taught me how 

" With nine-times-chanted charm, and lustral baths 

" A hundred in a hundred different streams, 1250 

" To purge the taint of Earth. Nor long it was 



456 STORY OF GLAUCUS AND SCYLLA. [Book XIII. 

" Ere from their separate founts upon my head 

" With all their floods the hundred rivers poured. 

" Thus far remembrance serves to tell aright 

" The wonder that befell: — what next ensued I2 55 

" I know not — memory for a while is blank. 

" But with reviving sense my total change 

" I knew of form and feature, nor unchanged 

" Perceived the mind within. Then first this beard 

" Profuse and green with salt and ooze I saw, — 1260 

" These locks that, as I swim, behind me sweep 

" The flood, — these broadened shoulders, — and these arms 

" Caerulean, — and my legs beneath me blent 

" And curved in fishy tail. Yet what avails 

" This form? — What boots it that, myself a God, 1265 

" Of every God and Goddess of the Sea 

" I win the favour, if I win not thine 1 " 

He said — and more had urged; — but from his suit 
She fled contemptuous. And, at such repulse 
Indignant, 'mid the waves he plunged, and sought 1270 
Titanian Circe's monster-peopled halls. 



THE 



METAMORPHOSES 



OF 



PUBLIUS OVIDIUS NASO 



BOOK XIV. 



THE METAMORPHOSES. 



BOOK XIV. 

I. By this, from iEtna piled upon the necks 
Of writhing Giants, from the Cyclops' fields, — 
Unknowing of the use of rake or plough, 
That owe no furrow to the yoked team, — 
The Eubcean dweller in the tumbling flood 5 

Had sped ; — and — Zancle, Ehegium, left behind 
On either hand — beyond the strait that parts 
Ausonia and Sicilia, infamous 

For wrecks, had passed : and now, with vigorous arms 
Oaring the Tuscan waters, reached the hills 1 o 

Eife with all growth of magic herbs, where reigns 
O'er thousand forms of brutes that roam her halls 
iEsean Circe, daughter of the Sun. 

Whom seen, — due greeting passed, and welcome given, — 
Thus Glaucus : — " Goddess ! of thy pity help 15 

" A God ! for Thou alone, if of thine aid 
" Thou hold'st me not unworthy, canst relieve 
" My bosom's torment. What the power of herbs 
"None better knows than I: — their virtue 'twas 



460 TRANSFORMATION OF SCYLLA. [Book XIV. 

" That made me what thou seest me. — But 'tis fit 20 

" That first I tell thee all my passion's tale. 

" 'Twas where Messene fronts Italia's coast 

" That Scylla first I saw. I blush to tell 

" What promises, what prayers, what blandishments 

" I urged but to be spurned! But Thou, if might 25 

" There be in chanted spell, thy sacred lips 

" In chanted spell unlock; or, if the force 

" Of philtred herbs be stronger, blend for me 

" Those herbs whose power thyself so oft hast proved. 

" For mine own wound I ask nor help nor cure ; 30 

" I would not cease to suffer, — still would burn : — 

" But oh ! let her who kindled feel the flame ! " 

So he : — and Circe, aptest of her sex 
To catch the fire of Love, — or tempered so 
At birth, or so disposed by Venus' wrath 35 

Tn vengeance for the tale her Father told — 
Made answer: — " Better would'st thou fare to sue 
" Some willing heart that answers Love with Love! 
" Thyself had'st justly for thyself been wooed, 39 

" As some would woo thee — would'st thou give them hope. 
" Know thine own worth, nor doubt thy power to please. 
" Lo ! I, a Goddess, of yon glorious Sun 
" The Daughter, — I, the Mistress of all spells 
" Of song and herb, — I ask but to be thine ! 44 

" Spurn her who spurns thee, — grant her prayer who sues, — 
" And so to either give her just reward! " 
Tempting she spake — but " Sooner, " — quoth the God — 
" The waves shall bear the foliage of the grove, 
1 ' Or the salt sea-weed clothe yon mountain's top, 
" Than Glaucus shift his love while Scylla lives! " 50 






Book XIV.] TRANSFORMATION OF SCYLLA. 46 1 

Deep as she felt the slight, had power "been hers 
To harm himself, Love yet had barred its use : — 
But on that rival to herself preferred 
"Wrathful she swore to wreak her proffer scorned. 
Straight all accursed herbs of direst juice 55 

She culls, and shreds, and o'er the brewage chants 
The baleful spells of Hecate. Then she dons 
Her mantle blue, and through the fawning brutes 
That throng her palace passing, takes her way 
"Where Ehegium looks on Zancle's fronting rocks, 60 

And o'er the wind-swept waters, firm of step 
As though the tumbling flood were solid shore, 
Dry-footed treads the surface of the Sea. 

A bay there was, curved bow-like in the shore, 
In whose cool haunt would Scylla shun the glare 65 

Of sea and sky, when vertical the Sun 
Blazed fiercest, and the shadows shortest lay. 
There with her baleful charms the Goddess stood 
And poisoned all its waters : — there she poured 
That liquor of all noxious herbs distilled, 7 o 

And thrice nine times a magic spell, of sound 
And sense unknown, she muttered o'er the flood. 
And thither Scylla came, and scarce waist-deep 
Stood in the waters, ere amazed she saw 
Her nether part with barking monsters girt, 75 

And, ignorant that herself in these beheld 
Part of herself, essayed to fly, and strove 
In terror to beat off the threatening hounds ! 
Alas ! she carried with her what she fled ! 
And, looking down for thigh and leg and foot, 80 

Found but, where these should be, Cerberean heads 



462 



VOYAGE OF .ENEAS. 



[Book XIV 



Growling and snarling, — all her lower self 

One rabid pack, — downward from loin and womb 

A ravening horror of incorporate beasts ! 

II. Sore wept the loving Glaucus ; — but from her 85 
Whose ruthless magic wrought that cruel scath 
He fled, and spurned the Sorceress' proffered love. 
But Scylla in those waters kept her place : — 
'Twas there, in hate of her who changed her so, 
She drowned Ulysses' crew; and there had wrecked 90 
The barks of Troy, but first to rock transformed 
She stood; — and still the rock the sailor shuns. 



III. Past this, and past Charybdis oar and sail 
Had sped the Trojan fleet: Ausonia's shore 
Was close, when baffling to the Libyan coast 95 

The tempest drove them back, where to her home . 
And bed Sidonian Dido took their chief, 
Too ill to bear that Phrygian husband's flight. 
Self-slain, upon the pyre for purpose fair 
Of holier rites commanded, died the Queen, 1 00 

In death deceiving as in life deceived. 

Plying the new walls of that sandy shore 
At Eryx, to Acestes' friendly ports 
Returned, with sacrifice his Father's tomb 
iEneas honoured. Then once more the barks, 105 

Late by Junonian Iris well-nigh burned, 
He set to sea. Thy realm, Hippotades, 
Where hot with sulphur glows the smoking soil, 
Was left behind him, and the rocks where dwell 
The Acheloian Sirens. Then the fleet 110 



< 



Book XIV.] DESCENT OF ^NEAS TO HELL. 463 

Eeft of its Pilot, coasts Inarime, 

And Prochyta, and Pithecusa's isles, 

Named of the Apes that haunt their barren hills, 

Cercopians erst, whom the great Sire of Gods, 

Wroth with the fraud and falsehood of the race, 1 1 5 

Changed into loathsome beasts, whose aspect yet 

A hideous unlike likeness bears to man. 

With shrunken limbs, and flattened nose, and cheeks 

Furrowed with senile Avrinkles, coated rough 

With fell of yellow hair, he bade them hold 120 

Their ancient seats : — but — for the gift of words 

Too long misused for lie and perjury — 

That first he took away, and left alone 

A hoarse and querulous gibber void of sense. 

IV. Onward, to right Parthenope he passed, 125 

To left the iEolian's tomb for martial blast 
Of trumpet famed ; and now the sedgy shores 
Of Cuma and the ancient Sibyl's cave 
He sought, and prayed the privilege to tread 
Avernus' darksome path, and in the Shades 130 

Once more behold his Sire. The Prophetess 
Eaised slow the glance long downward bent on Earth, 
And as the God within her fired her soul 
Made answer: — "Great the boon! — but great thou art! 
" Strong seen in field, and pious proved in flame ! 135 

" Be bold and fear not, Trojan ! Heaven allows 
" Thy wish. Myself shall guide thee to the plains 
" Elysian and the world's extremest bound, 
" Where happy dwells thy dear dead Father's Shade. 

No path is barred to virtue ! " — So she spake, 140 



464 STORY OF THE CUMyEAN SIBYL. [Book XIV. 



And in the sacred grove of Proserpine 

Pointed a golden branch, and bade the Chief 

The glittering wonder sever from the trunk. 

So he — that hest obeyed — the wealth beheld 

Of Orcus' awful kingdom, — saw the line 145 

Of all his buried Sires, — and from the lips 

Of great Anchises' venerable Shade 

Learned what the Laws that rule the realm of Ghosts, 

And what new perils yet to front in War 

The Pates ordained him. Weary as he paced 150 

The upward path with awful twilight dim, 

With that Cumaean guide in high discourse 

The way beguiling, — " Whether thou thyself" — 

He said — " art very Goddess, or of Gods 

" This highest grace hast won, — for Deity 155 

" Henceforth I hold thee ! 'Tis to thee I owe 

" My life, who living see the seat of Death, 

" And living from the seat of Death return. 

" Por this with temple fair and incense-fume 

" My gratitude shall pay thee ! " — Sighing deep 160 

Answered the Prophetess — " No Goddess I ! 

" Nor worthy of such honour deem thou one 

" Human as thou art : — though, to tell thee sooth, 

" Once might the boon of immortality 

" Have been mine own, when erst Apollo's love 165 

" My virgin-favour sought. With prayer and bribe 

" He strove to win me, — ' Name thy wish,' he said, 

" ' maid of Cuma, and the wish is thine ! ' 

" I pointed to a mound of drifted sand : — 

" ' Give me,' I said, ' as many years complete 170 

" ' As in yon heap are grains.' Ah! fool! that asked 



Book XIV.] STORY OF ACH^EMENIDES. 465 

" Enduring life without enduring youth ! 

" Yet these he gave, — and this he pledged beside, 

" Would I but list his suit. I spurned the gift, 

" And lived, and live, unloved. My happier days 175 

" Long since have set : — nxy step is tremulous 

" With feeble age, and feebler yet to grow: — 

" Seven centuries I count, and, ere my years 

" May match those grains, for thrice a hundred more 

" Must see the harvest reaped, the vintage pressed. 180 

" The time will come when weary length of days, 

" Lightening the burden of my shrunken limbs, 

" Shall make me but the Ghost of what I was; 

" And men will say — ' What withered hag like this 

" ' Had ever God for lover 1 '—Phoebus' self 185 

" Will meet and know me not, or disavow 

" That e'er he wooed me : — so in total change 

" Will all be lost save voice; — unseen, my voice 

" Will yet be heard, — the Fates will leave me that." 

V. So up that steepy path the Sibyl's tale 190 

Lightened the way, and from the Stygian seats 
Eubcean Cuma saw the pair emerge; 
Whence parting, with due sacrifice, he sought 
The shores that bore not yet his nurse's name, 
Where Macareus of Neritus, the friend 195 

Of sage Ulysses, worn with travel-toil, 
His rest had fixed. Amid the Trojan band, 
Much marvelling, Achaemenides he saw 
And knew, whom last on ^Etna's slopes he left 
Deserted: — and amazed whom dead he deemed 200 

So to behold alive, — " What chance or God," 

2g 



466 



STORY OF ACHiEMENIDES. 



[Book XIV. 



He said — "preserves thee, Acha3menid.es'? 

" How comes a Greek on board Barbarian barks? 

" And whither do they steer 1 " The Greek, once more 

Himself, not rough and ragged as he lurked 205 

In ^Etna's caves, his garments patched with thorns, 

Made answer, — " May I face again the sight 

" Of Polyphemus and his ravening jaws 

" Dripping with human blood, if dearer now 

" To me my house and home in Ithaca 210 

" Than this good ship, — if than a Father less 

" I hold and love iEneas ! Gratitude 

" Must strive in vain to pay the debt I owe ! 

" I live ! I breathe ! I look on Heaven and Sun ! 

""That life that else had gorged the Cyclops' maw — 215 

(" How should I cease to thank him for the gift? — ) 

" iEneas gave ! — And if I die to-day 

" My bones will find a grave, or 'scape at least 

" The bloody burial of that living tomb ! 

" What thought was mine — if thought it could be called — 

" That chill of blank despair, when, left behind 221 

" I saw your flying galleys cleave the seas 1 

" I would have shouted, but my shout had told 

" My hiding-place. — Ulysses' shout it was, 

" With all his wit, that well-nigh wrecked his bark! — 225 

" I saw the Cyclops rend and hurl to sea 

" That crag enormous, — watched him as he slung 

" With force gigantic shower of stone on stone, 

" And looked to see each missile, or the swell 

" It raised, o'erwhelm ye, — quaking, as myself 230 

" On board had shared your peril. But, wjien safe 

" Beyond that terrible storm your galleys sped, 



Book XIV.] STORY OF ACH^MENIDES. 467 

" Raging he paced all iEtna, 'mid the trunks 

" Groping his way, and blundering o'er the rocks 

" He lacked the sight to shun. Then to the seas 235 

" He spread his blood-stained hands and yelled his curse 

" On Greece and Greeks. ' Oh ! but to clutch ' — he 

shrieked — 
" ' Ulysses in these hands, or of his mates 
" ' I care not whom, — to glut my vengeance full! 
" ' To tear him limb from limb ! to eat his heart ! 240 

" ' To feel his hot blood flush my thirsty throat ! 
" ' To crunch his quivering flesh between my teeth ! 
" ' That joy would pay me for the eye he stole, 
" * Or lighten half its loss ! ' — So savagely 
" He raved: — pale terror chilled me as I heard, 245 

" And saw the gore scarce dried upon his cheeks, 
" And in his brow the darkened cave of sight, 
" And on his cruel hands and on his limbs 
" And beard the clotted stain of human blood ! 
" Death stared me in the face, and Death itself 250 

" Was least of all its terrors. With each pulse 
" Methought I felt his clutch, — these vitals, torn 
" And mangled, buried quick within his own! 
" And ever to my sight the massacre 

" Was present of those twain, whom late I saw 255 

" The Savage dash thrice four times to the Earth, 
" And, like the lion ravening o'er his prey, 
" Crunch muscle, bone, and marrow, — half-alive 
" Gorging their quivering limbs ! So, paralysed, 
" Bloodless and nerveless in my fear I stood, 260 

" And watched the Cyclops feast, and render back 
" His bloody meal, in mingled flood of wine 



468 STORY OF MACAREUS. [Book XIV. 

" And undigested flesh ! — Myself to serve 

" Such banquet next! — For many a day I lurked 

" In caverns, trembling at each breeze that stirred, 265 

" Fearing to die, yet longing to be dead ! 

" With acorns and with grass and leaves of trees 

" Battling with famine, — hopeless, helpless, left 

" Alone to die or meet that worse than death ! 

" Long — oh! how long! — I bore it! Then at last 270 

" Nigh land a bark I saw, and made what sign 

" For help I could, and to the beach I rushed, 

" And pity found from foes : — a Trojan ship 

" Eescued a Greek! — Now tell me thou, in turn, 

" Old comrade, what the fortune that befell 275 

" Thee and thy Chief and those who sailed with thee." 

Then Macareus : — " The son of Hippotas, 
" Lord of the Tuscan waters, iEolus 
" That subject holds the winds, a wondrous gift, — 
" All adverse breezes in a bag confined 280 

" Of ox-hide, — gave our Chief. Nine days he sailed 
"With favouring winds, and neared the wished-for shore; 
" But, with the dawning of the tenth, his crew, 
" Envious and greedy, deeming there to find 
" Treasure of gold, unloosed the strings; — and back 285 
" O'er the late-traversed waves our fleet was whirled 
" Even to the ports of the iEolian King. 
" Thence next the ancient Lsestrigonian walls 
" Of Lamus' town, where reigned Antiphates, 
" We touched; — and to his court with comrades twain 290 
" Envoy I went : — whence hardly with our lives 
" Myself and one escaped. The hapless third 
" Made bloody banquet for the impious king ! 






Book XIV.] STORY OF MACAREUS. 469 

" Fast on our flight with all his cannihal rout 

" He followed to the port, with furious shower 295 

" Of stock and stone incessant sinking ships 

" And drowning men ! Of all our fleet alone 

" The bark that bore Ulysses and myself 

" Escaped. Sore grieving for the friends we lost 

" Those shores we reached that hence across the Deep 300 

" Thou may'st discern at distance : — yonder isle 

" Thou seest, then first I saw. I counsel thee — 

(" For now the strife is o'er I may not hold 

" The justest of the Trojans for my foe,) — 

" Goddess-born! I warn thee, shun the shores 305 

" Of Circe ! — There we moored : — but yet in dread 

" Of Lsestrigon or Cyclops, shrank to land 

" Where all was strange. We left it to the lot 

" To choose explorers : and the lot myself, 

" Eurylochus, Pohtes tried and true, 310 

" Elpenor who the wine-cup loved too well, 

" And twice nine more, to Circe's palace sent. 

" Which as we neared, from out the portal sprang 

" To meet us thousand savage-seeming beasts, 

" Wolf, and She-Bear, and Lioness, that struck 315 

"Our souls with terror, though the fear was vain, 

" For, as it proved, no hurt of tooth or claw 

" They purposed, but with fawning blandishment 

" Of tail and tongue played round us, till a train 

" Of hand-maids, issuing, through the marble halls 320 

" Guided us to their Queen. She far within 

" Sate stately, in a fair alcove enthroned, 

" With sheeny mantle dight and golden robe, 

" Amid her court of Nereids and of Nymphs, 



470 



STORY OF MACAREUS. 



[Book XIV. 



Busy, though not with toil of fleece or loom, 325 

But from the basket's heap confused of flowers 

In order ranging herbs of various hue, 

Each as she bade them. For what virtue each 

Possessed she knew, and what their force combined, 

And scanned and pondered every separate leaf. 330 

She, as we entered, with all open cheer 

Received us — met our greeting — fair returned 

All courtesy and compliment we paid ; 

And bade her following straightway heap the board 

With cates of toasted barley, wine, and cheese, 335 

And honey, wherein first herself unseen 

Had mixed some hidden juice that sweetened all : — 

And unsuspicious from her treacherous hand 

We took the proffered cup; — and, as our lips, 

Long-thirsty, drained it, o'er our heads she waved 340 

Her cursed wand. — I blush to speak what shame 

There followed — yet I tell it. All my skin 

With sudden bristles roughened; — speech was lost; — 

For words came grunting; — brutish to the Earth 

My look was bowed; — my human visage changed 345 

To flattened swinish snout; — my neck was thick 

With brawny muscle; — and the hands, that held 

A moment since the goblet, now were feet ! 

So by the damned magic of her herbs 

Were all, save one, transformed, and in her sty 350 

Imprisoned beast-like. One, Eurylochus, 

Alone had wit to shun the baneful draught, 

Alone escaped that filthy change, and fled : — 

Else with my fellows had I grunted still 

A hog amid the herd, nor, by his tale 355 



Book XIV.] STORY OF PICUS AND CANENS. 47 1 

" Apprised, Ulysses ever come to venge 

" His comrades' shame. The Heavenly Messenger 

" Of peace, Cyllenius, to our Chief had given 

" The herb of milky flower and ehon root 

" That Gods call Moly. Armed with this, and taught 360 

" By that celestial Monitor its use, 

" Boldly he entered the Enchantress' halls, — 

" Dashed down the proffered chalice, — struck aside 

" The wand she would have waved above his head, — 

" And with his flashing blade so terrified 365 

" The baffled Sorceress, that her hand in pledge 

" Of amity, her board, her bed he won, 

" And claimed for dower his comrades re-transformed. 

VI. " So with the juice of some more wholesome herb 
" She sprinkled us; — with wand inverted touched 370 

" Our brows; — and, backward as she spoke the spell 
" That bound us, gradual from the Earth we rose 
" Erect; — the bristles dropped, — the cloven hoof 
" United, — from the shoulder played once more 
" The arms restored. Around our weeping chief 375 

''Weeping we clung: — what earlier fitter use 
" Of speech recovered could we find than thanks 1 
"What thanks enough? — A twelvemonth in the isle 
" We passed, and many a wondrous sight and tale 
" I saw and heard, — none wondrous more than this, 380 
" Which, while our chief and Circe toyed apart, 
" One of the hand-maids four assigned to tend 
" Her rites narrated. In a shrine she showed 
" A marble-sculptured youth, with garlands fair 
" Bedecked, and bearing on his head the bird 385 



4/2 STORY OF PICUS AND CANENS. [Book XIV. 



" Our swains call Wood-pecker. And who lie was, 

" And wherefore honoured so, and why that crest 

" He bore, I questioned. ' List ' — she said — ' and 

learn, 
" ' If yet thou need'st be taught, what magic power 
" ' My Mistress wields: — the tale is worth thine ear. 390 
" ' That sculptured youth is Picus, Saturn's son, 
" ' Some time Ausonia's King; than whom in field 
" 'None better trained or knightlier backed the steed. 
" ' There, as he was, thou seest him; — such his shape, 
" ' And such his grace; — the marble shows the man, 395 
" ' Gifted in mind as body: — Since his birth 
" ' Not four times yet had Greece at Elis held 
" ' Quinquennial contest. On his fair young face 
" ' The Dryads in the Latian mountains born 
" ' Looked lovingly, and all the fountain Nymphs, 400 
" ' Naiads of Anio's wave, or Albula, 
" ' Numicus, Almus briefest in his course 
" ' Of all the streams, or Nar's impetuous flood, 
" ' Or Farfar's borders cool with grateful shade, 
" ' Or those Arician lakes that skirt the grove 405 

" ' Where Scythian Dian holds her gloomy reign. 
" ' All sighed in vain. One Nymph alone whom erst 
" ' (So runs the tale) on Palatums' side 
" ' Yenilia to Ionian Janus bore, 

" ' He loved; — and when her budding charms were ripe 
" ' The Maid was his : — What suitor else could vie 411 
" ' With Picus of Laurentum 1 — Sweet she was 
" ' Of form and face, but sweeter yet of voice, 
" ' Called Canens for that music. Eocks and woods 
n <Xhrilled as she sang; the forest-beasts were won 415 



II i 



Book XIV.] STORY OF PICUS AND CANENS. 473 

" ' To gentleness; the wandering birds their flight 
" l Arrested, and the streams ran slow to hear. 

" ' One morn, to wile the day with lute and song 
" ' He left her, in Laurentum's fields to chase 
" ' The native boar. A gallant steed he pressed, — 420 
" ' Two hnnting-spears his left hand bore, — a belt 
" ' With golden buckle closely round his waist 
" ' His purple tunic girt. The self-same woods 
" ' It chanced the Daughter of the Sun had sought, 
" ' Quitting her namesake fields, to gather there 425 

" ' Fresh herbs of virtue from the fruitful slopes. 
" ' Concealed amid the brushwood on the youth 
" ' Spell-bound she gazed; — unheeded from her lap 
" ' The new-culled treasure dropped; and in her veins 
The blood ran fire. From that first fever-flush 430 

' Eallying, to Picus' side she would have sprung 
' And poured forth all her passion ; but his steed 
' Too swift, and eager following train, forbade. 
' " And yet not thus, or I misrate my art," — 
She cried, — " Shalt thou escape me ! though thy speed 
" ' " Outstrip the wind, if still these herbs retain 436. 

" ' " Their virtue or my spells have power to charm ! " 
" ' She said, — and raised before the hunter's sight 
" ' The image of an unsubstantial boar 
" ' That fled, and vanished 'mid the forest-maze, 440 

" ' Where thickest closed the trunks, nor steed might pass. 
" ' Eager, and ignorant of the cheat, the youth 
" ' From his hot courser sprang, and dashed afoot 
" ' Amid the dense and tangling forest, lost 
" ' In vain pursuit and hopeless. She the while 445 

" ' Stands conning all her spells and chants of power, 



« t 



474 STORY OF PICUS AND CANENS. [Book XIV. 



' Strange prayers that move strange Gods: — the rhymes 

that dim 
1 The pallid cheeks of Luna, and suffuse 
1 With watery clouds the visage of her Sire. 
' And, as she sings, all Heaven is veiled in mist, 
' AU Earth in fog; — and, parted from the train 
' That blindly seeks its Master, stands the King. 
' Then — time and place her own — revealed she stood 
' Before him, and — " Ey those bright eyes " — she 



45° 



' " That so have thralled mine own, — by that fair face 

' " That suppliant brings a Goddess to thy feet, — 456 

1 " loveliest Youth, take pity on the flame 

1 " That burns this bosom ! She who boasts for Sire 

* " The God whose glance embraces all the World, 

' " Titanian Circe, should not sue in vain ! " 460 

' So she : — but sternly cold the King repelled 

' Her and her prayers. " Whoe'er thou art " — he said — 

' " Thine am not I ! Another holds this heart 

' " Her captive — captive may she hold it long ! 

' " No foreign charms may Picus lure to break 465 

' " His faith to Canens, while his Canens lives ! " 

' But still she pressed — and still the youth refused : — 

' " Then rue it ! " cried she furious : — " Never more 

1 " Shall Canens greet thee back ! Live thou to prove 

' " The peril of a woman's love disdained, 470 

' " Such woman most, such lover, so disdained 

' " As Circe ! " — Twice to West, and twice to East, 

' She turned her, — thrice with magic wand she touched 

' The youth, and thrice she spoke a spell of power. 

' He, flying, strangely conscious of a speed 475 






Book XIV.] STORY OF PICUS AND CANENS. 475 

" ' Beyond his wont, beheld his dwindling form 

" ' O'erfledged, and, chafing so to know himself 

" ' Degraded to a bird, the Latian woods 

" ' Sought furious, and with pecking petulant beak 

" ' Assailed the gnarled trunks and spreading boughs. 480 

" ' His feathers took his mantle's purple hue; — 

" ' The golden-buckled belt that girt his waist 

" ' With ring of golden plumage girt his neck; — 

" ' And naught of Picus, save his name, remained! 

VII. " ' By this, his comrades, filling all the wood 
" ' With outcry for the Lord they could not find, 486 

" ' Circe had found : — (for she — her purpose wrought — 
" ' Had purged the misty air, and left the clouds 
" ' To vanish in the Sunshine and the breeze : — ) 
" ' And charged her with her crime, and violent 490 

" ' With flashing weapons pointed at her breast 
" ' Demanded back their Master. But aloft 
" * A sprinkled spell of poisonous juice she flung, 
" ' And called on Mght and all Wight's awful Gods, 
" ' Chaos, and Erebus, and Hecate, 495 

" ' With hideous howl of magic prayer invoked : — 
" ' And lo ! a wonder ! — shaken to its roots 
" ' The circling forest paled and blanched with fear: 
" ' The turf was flecked with sweat of bloody dew : — 

The Earth groaned underneath: — the rocks above 500 
With hoarse harsh moaning seemed to answer her : — 
And in their ears dogs howled, and round their feet 
Black slimy serpents seemed to twine and crawl, 
And pale and wan the shadows of the Dead 
Before their eyes to flit! And, as aghast 505 



U ( 



47 6 STORY OF PICUS AND CANENS. [Book XIV. 



1 ' They stood with, terror, on their heads she laid 
1 Her poisoned wand, and at the touch they sank 

: ' Grovelling in bestial shape, — nor one to one 
' Alike, — but none with semblance left of man ! 

VIII. " ' Behind Tartessus sank the westering Sun, 

' And vainly still, with heart and eye on watch, 511 

' Looked Canens for her Lord. Through all the night 

' The eager search of slave and citizen 

' With flare of questing torches lit the woods. 

1 Tears, moans, and tresses rent, — all shows of grief, — 

' What comfort came of such to grief like hers 1 — 516 

1 Crazed with that sorrow, forth she broke, and roamed 

' The Latian fields. Six nights, as many morns 

' Eeturning saw her pacing hill and dale, 

' Sleepless and foodless, wheresoever chance 520 

' Her footsteps led : — but, with the sixth, o'erworn 

' With woe and travel, on the chilly marge 

' Of Tiber down she sank, in low faint tones 

' Still tuning grief to music, — like the Swan 

' That with her own dirge sings herself to death, — 525 

' Weeping and wasting, till, dissolved in air 

' All corporal substance vanished. But her fame 

' Lived where she died, and to the hallowed spot 

'The ancient Muses gave the Singer's name.' 

" With many a tale like this, and many a sight 530 

Of wonder, wore the year. When came command 
To hoist once more the sail and tempt the Sea, 
Our hands were dull with sloth and lack of use : — 
And Circe warned so loud what perils yet 
Beset us on that broad and stranger main, 535 









Book XIV.] iENEAS IN ITALY. 477 

" That I — I own it — shrank; — and, on these shores 
" Once safely landed, here made choice to stay." 

IX. So Macareus. And now the marble urn 

That holds the ashes of iEneas' Nurse 

Is raised, and with these simple lines engraved: — 540 

" Here I, Caieta, by the grateful care 

" Of him I nurtured saved from Argive flames, 

" Found fitter burning on a Trojan pyre : " — 

And, from those grassy slopes new launched, the fleet 

Leaves far behind the Goddess evil-famed 545 

And all her treacherous kingdom, — northward bound 

VThere Tiber, shaded by o'erhanging groves, 

Rolls to the sea his yellow-sanded flood. 

Latinus' realm and child iEneas wins, 

Xo undisputed prize, but hardly earned 550 

In bitter contest with a savage race 

And Turnus, raging for his plighted bride : — 

All Latium, all Tyrrhenia, front to front 

Opposed, — and Victory holding doubtful long 

The balanced fate of many a bloody field: — 555 

Xor lacking either host for stout allies, 

Or Trojan, or Rutulian. Not in vain 

The son of Venus sought Evander's aid; 

And, for like help, where exiled Diomed 

In Iapygian Daunus' realm had built 560 

His stately town, and for his bridal dower 

Held many a fair domain, went Venulus 

Envoy from Turnus. But — his mission told — 

The iEtolian made excuse. " I may not pledge " — 

He said — " the people of my Sire-in-law 565 



478 ADVENTURES OF DIOMEDES. [Book XIV. 

" To such a strife : and of mine own I lack 

" Sufficient force to arm : — and, lest ye think 

" That plea mere pretext, though to tell my tale 

" Wake many a bitter memory, hear it told. 

" When charred by Argive flames the crumbling towers 

" Of Ilion fell, and, for Oileus' crime — 571 

" A virgin forced — a Virgin wreaked on all 

" The guilt he only should have paid, — the Winds 

" Wide o'er the hostile seas our homeward fleet 

" Drove scattered. Midnight blackness — Lightning-flame — 

" Deluge of rain — all wrath of Sea and Sky 576 

" Was loosed upon us, and, for crown of woe, 

" Caphareus' rocks! — Time suffers not at length 

" Such tale of wreck and death as, told that day 

" In Troy, had made old Priam weep for Greece ! 580 

" Myself the segis-bearing Maid of Heaven 

" Preserved, but exiled from my natal soil 

' ' Of Argos still to wander, still pursued 

" By Yenus vengeful for her ancient wound, — 

" With peril on the seas and strife on land 585 

" So worn, that happier oft I deemed their lot 

" Whom tempest and Caphareus' roaring surge 

" Had whelmed, and wished niyself had shared their fate. 

" Till by that dire extremity endured 

" Of war and hardship over-taxed, my men 590 

" Lost heart — ' Enough of wandering ! Give us rest ! ' 

" So most : — but Agmon's fiercer spirit, wrought 

" To bitterness by suffering, broke in scorn: — 

" ' What ! fails your patience now, when nought beyond 

" ' Is left to bear? What more, be Venus' will 595 

" ' To plague ye fixed as ever, can her spite 



Book XIV.] ADVENTURES OF DIOMEDES. 479 

" ' Invent 1 So long as worse remains to dread 



(I i 



Prayer may find place, — but, when the count of ill 
" ' Is summed and paid, fear lies beneath our feet ! 
" ' Hears she 1 — I care not ! — Well I know she hates 600 
" ' Our chief and all who love him: — but her hate 
" ' Hath done its worst. Eight dearly have we bought 
" ' The right to scorn it, — but we scorn it now! ' 
"So with irreverent taunt he spurred anew 
" The Goddess' flagging wrath and ancient grudge. 605 
" Few heard approving : — most aloud rebuked 
" The reckless speech. He would have answered us, 
" But voice and voice's channel in the act 
" Together shrank : — his locks were changed to plumes, — 
" His dwindled neck, his breast, his back, were plumed, — 
" His stronger-feathered arms and elbows curved 611 

" To wings, — his feet were claws, — and all his face 
" Contracted, sharp with hard and horny beak. 
" Ehetenor, ISTycteus, Idas, at his change 
" Astounded gazing, shared it, — Lycus too, 615 

" Abas, and more ; till of my crew the most 
" Were birds that with sonorous beat of wings 
" Wheeled screaming round my galley's oars. Dost ask 
" What form they bore 1 ? — Most swan-like in their shape 
" And snowy whiteness were they, yet not swans. 620 

" For me, but hardly with my remnant left, 
" I 'scaped, to find in Daunus' arid realm 
" A Sire-in-law, and these bare fields I rule." 



X. So answered, from the Calydonian's halls, 
Departed Yenulus. Peucetia's gulf, 625 

Messapia's fields he passed, — and saw the caves 



480 THE TROJAN SHIPS [Book XIV. 

Dim with thick leafage, dank with dripping dews, 

Where haunts the goat-hoofed Pan; in earlier times 

Loved of the local Nymphs, till Appulus, 

The Shepherd, drave them thence in terror forth: — 630 

But — that first fear o'ermastered — as they saw 

How mean a foe they fled, and to the lyre 

Their interrupted measure trod anew, 

The churl stood scoffing, and with taunt and gibe 

Obscene and clownish gesture mocked their sport; 635 

Nor ceased, till round his throat a choking bark 

Encased him in a Tree ! — The plant retains 

The nature of the man; and in the fruit 

Of the wild bitter Olive yet we trace 

The bitter tongue of him who gave it birth. 640 

XL XII. Back comes the Envoy. Turnus must not hope 
iEtolian help. Without such aid the war 
The Putuli must wage. A thousand deaths 
Thin either host. Upon the pine-built fleet 
Of Troy swoops Turnus with his greedy torch, 645 

And the flames threaten what the waters spared. 
Pitch, resin, wax, all easier food of fire 
Had Mulciber consumed; — around the mast 
Coiling he licked the topsails; — in the hull 
The Powers' benches smoked. But, mindful then 650 
How from her Ida's crest erewhile the axe 
Those pines had shorn, the Mother of the Gods 
Uprose : — and cymbal-clash and trumpet-clang 
Shook all the Heavens as down to Earth she urged 
Her chariot's lion-team. "In vain," she cried, 655 

" Turnus ! thy sacrilegious torch assails 






Book XIV.] TURNED TO SEA-NYMPHS. 48 1 

" What I protect ! No fires profane may harm 

" Or part or parcel of my sacred groves ! " 

Pealed, as she spoke, the thunder, — from the clouds 

Poured deluge of fierce rain and leaping hail, — 660 

And forth to battle rushed Astrseus' sons 

Confounding Sky and Ocean. One alone 

She used to work her will. Asunder snapped 

The hempen ropes that moored the fleet of Troy, 

And, seaward headlong drifting, sank the barks 665 

Changed as they sank. Wood softened into flesh, — 

Each beaky prow took outline of a face, — 

The oars struck out in swimming hands and feet, — 

The sides kept place as ribs, — the central keel 

Beneath supplied a spine, — the shredded sails 670 

In glossy tresses floated, — and the yards 

To shoulders turned and arms. Caerulean-hued 

As erst, amid the billows, late their dread, 

The Ocean-Naiads played; — the mountain-born 

Forgot their birth adopted of the Waves! 675 

Still, mindful of their many perils past 

Upon those cruel seas, their helping hands 

Uphold all vessels reeling tempest-tossed, 

Save such as carry Greeks, — the hated race 

Unpardoned yet since Troy's disastrous day. 680 

For this that shattered bark of Neritus 

Well-pleased they saw, — for this rejoicing marked 

Alcinous' galley, full in sight of port, 

Fixed in mid sea and stiffened into stone ! 

XIII. 'Twas hoped that portent of a fleet transformed 
To living Nymphs of Ocean might have awed 686 

2h 



482 



DEIFICATION OF iENEAS. 



[Book XIV. 



Butulia from the war : — but still it raged, 

With Gods to aid on either side, and men 

Like Gods in might. Not now for dotal realm 

Or royal Sire-in-law, not now for thee 690 

They fight, Lavinia ! but for victory 

And shame to yield them conquered. Yenus sees 

Her son at last prevail. With Turnus falls 

His Ardea, — Ardea, held, while Turnus lived. 

Sovereign of Cities. From her walls o'erthrown 695 

In ruin, smouldering with barbarian fires, 

A bird there rose, unknown till then, that fanned 

Her ashes with its wings. Its note, its form 

Emaciate, and its pallid hue, beseemed 

The captured town it sprang from. Even the name 700 

It bears, — and when men hear the Heron's cry 

They fancy Ardea mourns for Ardea's fall. 



XIV. By this the favour of all Gods above 
iEneas' worth had won : — even Juno's self 
Eenounced at last her ancient hate of Troy. 705 

Eair-founded Alba rose; — lulus grew; — 
And Cytherea's Son was ripe for Heaven. 
Then Yenus sought the skies, and round her Sire 
Twining her arms — " Father mine ! " she said, 
" Kind ever to thy child, be kindest now! 710 

" Born of my blood iEneas hails in Thee 
"His Grandsire. If that claim deserve thy grace, 
" Make him a God ! — inferior, if thou wilt, 
" In rank, but still a God. Enough that once 
" Already hath he passed the waves of Styx, 715 

" And trodden once the unlovely realm of Hell ! " 



Book XIV.] THE LINE OF ALBAN KINGS. 483 

Heaven seconded her prayer : — not Juno heard 

Unmoved, and gracious nodded in assent. 

Then spake the Thunderer : — " Worthy are ye both, — 

" The Suitor and the Subject of the suit ! 720 

" Daughter, thy boon is granted ! " — Loving thanks 

She paid the Sire : — then joyful to the shores 

Laurentian urged the Doves that draw her car, 

Where through his shading reeds Numicius rolls 

His sweeter waters to the neighbouring brine: 725 

And bade the cleansing Eiver lave, and bear 

All grosser substance, liable to Death, 

Adown his noiseless current to the Sea. 

The horned Power obeyed. Whatever yet 

Was mortal of iEneas in the flood 730 

Was purged and washed away : — the nobler part 

Alone remained. So purified, his form 

With scent ambrosial, nectarous, divine, 

His mother steeped, and made her Son a God ! 

And Rome among the Indigetes enrolled 735 

The Hero's name, and gave him shrine and rite. 

XV. So to Ascanius, double-named, the sway 
Of Alba fell and Latium. Sylvius next 
Succeeding to a new Latinus left 

The ancient name and sceptre. Glorious then 740 

King Alba reigned, whose heir was Epitus ; 
Then Capitus and Capys, — (Capys first, — ) 
And Tiberinus; — Tiber's Tuscan flood 
That drowned him bears his name. His elder-born 
And fiercer, Eemulus, who from the bolts 745 

Of Heaven he dared to arrogate and ape, 



4 8 4 



VERTUMNUS AND POMONA. 



[Book XIV. 



Met fitting fate, to younger Acrotas, 

More gentle, left the kingdom; — Acrotas 

To Aventinus, in the namesake hill 

Whereon he reigned entombed; whom Procas next 750 

Succeeding ruled the people Palatine. 

In Procas' time it was Pomona lived, 
Of Latian Hamadryads skilfullest 
To range the garden's rainbow-hues and tend 
The orchard-plots whose fruitage gave her name ; 755 

Haunting nor wood nor stream, intent alone 
On rural cares where golden with their load 
The apple-branches bend. No huntress-Nyniph 
With javelin armed, the pruning-knife alone 
She bore for weapon, sedulous to trim 760 

The o'ergrowth of the too luxuriant boughs, 
To teach the grafted scion how to draw 
New sap and vigour from the fissured stock, 
Or, careful lest her darlings suffer thirst, 
Pound the coiled fibres of the bibulous roots 765 

In many a bubbling runnel guide the stream : — 
This was her task, her joy. No thought of Love 
Had touched her soul. Within her garden's bounds 
Secure from man's approach, or rude attempt 
Of rustic swains, she dwelt. A thousand tricks 770 

In vain the capering band of Satyrs tried, 
And Pan, his temples bound with piny wreath, 
And old Silvanus, younger than his years, 
And that rough God who scares the garden-thieves 
With moony hook and arm obscene, to win 775 

Entrance and conquest. Better than all these 
Yertumnus loved — than these no better fared. 



Book XIV.] VERTUMNUS AND POMONA. 485 

Oft in a reaper's guise, — Ms basket piled 

With sheaves, — a very reaper's self he seemed; — 

A mower now, with hay-wisp in his locks 780 

Entwined, returning from the new-cut field ; — 

Or, goad in hand, a ploughman, — you might swear 

A moment since he loosed his swinking team; — 

A hedger, or a dresser of the vine, 

With hook or shears; — an apple-gatherer now 785 

With balanced ladder; — now with sword and shield 

A soldier; — now a fisher with his rod. 

Last, when a thousand failed, on one disguise 

He hit, that won him access to his Love. 

Robed as an ancient crone, her straggling locks 790 

Of gray escaping from her turbaned brows, 

And tottering on a staff, the garden-gate 

He passed, and with admiring gaze its wealth 

Surveying — "0! well done!" he cried, "Most fair 

" Of Gardeners!" and, as greeting beldam might, 795 

Kissed once and twice the complimented Maid; 

And in his kiss more fervour seemed to glow 

Than greeting beldams use. Then, on a bank 

Beside her seated, praised and praised again 

The branches bending with their autumn-load. 800 

Before them, round a spreading elm, a vine 

With tendril-clasp and purple cluster twined. 

" Ah ! happy union ! " cried he — " Had the tree 

" Stood unembraced, what worth were in its leaves 

" To win regard or seeking ? — Were the Vine 805 

" Unwedded to that groom whose lusty arms 

" Uphold her, on the soil her feeble stem 

" Had trailed, a barren stock ! That lesson sure 



486 VERTUMNUS AND POMONA. [Book XIV. 

" Should counsel thee, that shrinkest from the thought 

" Of wedlock-bond, nor car'st to find a mate. 810 

" Ah ! would'st thou learn it, sweetest ! at thy feet 

" Should kneel more rival wooers than of old 

" Had Helen, or the bride whose beauty stirred 

" The Centaur-Lapith quarrel, — than besieged 

" In her lone isle the Dame that had for spouse 815 

" Ulysses, valiant most to craven foes ! 

" Even now thy favour, cruel as thou art, 

" A thousand suitors seek; — all Demi-Gods 

" And Gods, — whate'er on Alba's mountain-slopes 

" Of strain celestial haunts. be thou wise 820 

" And list my rede, and take thee fitting mate ! 

" Trust me, I love thee better than thou think'st, 

" JSTor bid thee wed a rude and vulgar spouse. 

" Vertumnus loves thee well: — my faith for his 

" I pledge thee, for I know him as myself. 825 

" No homeless wanderer he, but of these hills 

" A denizen established: — not of those 

" Whose passion wakes with sight and dies with loss, 

" As lighter likings use: — Thou first, thou last, 

" Shall be his Love I To thee alone he vows 830 

" All years that Life shall lend him. Young he is, 

" And fair, and versatile in shifting shapes 

" To mask his form : — Whate'er thou wilt, he'll be. 

" Alike your tastes and cares; — the earliest growth 

" Thy branches bear is his, — thy firstling fruits 835 

" He treasures : — but not now for gathered fruit 

" Of orchard or for watered garden's flower 

" He asks : — thee only, thee, he cares to win ! 

" Be piteous to his passion, and believe 



Book XIV.] IPHIS AND ANAXARETE. 487 

- 

" For his the suit I urge. I warn thee, dread 840 

" The avenging Gods, — Idalia's Queen that hates 

" The bosom barred to love, and, more than all, 

" The wrath of unforgetting Nemesis ! 

" List, — for my age hath many a tale in store, — 

" A story, known in Cyprus long ago, — 845 

" That well may melt that stony heart of thine. — 

" Iphis, of humbler birth, a noble maid 
" Of Teucer's lineage, Anaxarete, 
" Had seen and loved. A fire was in his veins 
" That would not quench, though long and manfully 850 
" Reason with Passion wrestled. At her gates 
" A suppliant, in her nurse's ear he poured 
" His miserable tale, and, by the love 
" She bore her child, besought her help his suit, 
" Or courted with fair speech and liberal gift 855 

" Alliance of the household ministers, 
" And graved the waxen page, and bade them lay 
" Its passionate pleadings in their mistress' sight, — 
" Or on her portals hung the garland, dewed 
" With lover's tears, and on the threshold- stone 860 

" Despairing flung at length his tender limbs, 
" And cursed the cruel door that would not ope. 
" Deafer than seas when mountain-high the surge 
" Roars round the setting Hsedi, — stubbomer 
" Than steel new-tempered from the Noric forge, — 865 
" Harder than living rock, — she sate the while 
" Scornful and scoffing, with a heartless jeer 
" That made contempt more bitter blasting hope : — 
" Till, by that torment past endurance stung, 
" And resolute to end it, at her doors 870 



488 IPHIS AND ANAXARETE. [Book XIV. 

" Thus made the helpless youth his latest moan. 

" ' Thou conquerest, Anaxarete ! — No more 

" 1 1 weary thee with wooing. Celebrate 

" ' Thy triumph! Chant thy Paean! Eound thy brows 

" ' The laurel bind! Thou conquerest, and I die! 875 

" ' Be happy in that death, heart of stone ! 

" ' Yet own, despite thyself, such sacrifice 

" ' Worthy thy praise ! — At least I please thee so ! 

" ' Deny me not that merit ! — Nor forget 

" ' That with my latest breath I breathe thy name ! 880 

" ' Yon Sun and those sweet eyes, my double light, 

" ' For Iphis set together ! — Not to Fame 

" ' I leave my Death's report, — myself am here 

" l In presence with my lifeless corse to feed 

" ' Thy cruel gaze. — But ye juster Gods, 885 

" ' If mortal chances touch immortal breasts, 

" ' Be to my memory kind! — 'tis all the prayer 

" ' This failing tongue yet keeps the strength to frame, — 

" ' Transmit to after-times my hapless tale, 

" * And give to Fame the years denied to Life ! ' 890 

" He ceased: — and to the columns, that so oft 

" Himself had wreathed with flowers, with streaming eyes 

" And wasted hands made fast the fatal cord: — 

" ' This garland, cruel barbarous Maid,' — he cried, — 

" ' Perchance may please thee better ! ' — Then he thrust 

" His neck within the noose, and, with his face 896 

" Even in that moment turned to her he loved, 

" Swung there a strangled corse ! and with his feet 

" Convulsed in death-pang battering on the doors 

" Such dolorous echo waked — (as though without 900 



Book XIV.] IPHIS AND ANAXARETE. 489 

" One knocked in urgent need — ) tliat all the slaves 

" Heard it, and rushed, and open flung the leaves, 

" And shrieking saw the ghastly face of Death, 

" Too late for rescue ! — To his mother's home 

" Long widowed of its Lord, the corse they bore. 905 

" Conceive how frantic to her breast she clasped 

" Those frigid limbs! — Enough! — All wailing made 

" That wretched Mothers use, — all offices 

" Performed that wretched Mothers pay their dead, — 

" Weeping she followed through the weeping town 910 

" Her darling to the pyre. It chanced, the house 

" Of Anaxarete, — (or so the Powers 

" Avenging willed it that decreed her doom, — ) 

" The sad procession passed. The sound of wail 

" Smote on her ears. ' Come ! let us see ' — she cried — 

" ' This dismal show ! ' — and to a gallery 916 

" With spacious windows fronting o'er the street 

" She hied her, and looked forth: — nor sooner saw 

" The pale dead face of Iphis on his bier, 

"Than lo! her staring eyes were fixed, — the blood 920 

" Forsook her paling cheeks : — She would have turned, — 

" Her feet refused their office: — Would have looked 

" Away, and could not: — in her breast the heart, 

" Long since to marble frozen, froze the rest, 

"And all the living Maid was lifeless stone! 925 

" Nay ! 'tis no fable ! — Yet in Salamis 

" The Fane of Venus, called ' the Looker-forth,' 

" The statue holds and shows. Fairest ! learn 

" My story's moral ! Lay this cold disdain 

" Aside, and list his suit who loves thee well. 930 



490 TREASON AND FATE OF TARPEIA. [Book XIV. 

" So may the nipping frosts of Spring-time spare 
" Thy tender peeping buds, nor boisterous winds 
" Untimely shake thy blossoms from the bough ! " 

So urgent pressed the seeming crone : — the Maid 
Unheeding heard. Then versatile he flung 935 

Aside the vain disguise of age, and stood 
In all his youth, a God, — bright as the Sun 
That scattering all the shrouding rack of clouds 
Shines victor o'er the Heavens, — prepared for force, — 
But force was needless; — and by beauty won 940 

The yielding Nymph confessed the mutual flame. 

XVI. By force usurping on Ausonia's throne 
Next Procas sate Amulius; till the sons 
Of Ehea to their grandsire Numitor 

Eestored his rightful sceptre. — At the feast 945 

Of Pales founded rose the earliest walls 
That girdled Borne; — besieged as soon as built 
By Tatius and his power. The traitress-Maid 
That showed the pathway to the Capitol, 
Tarpeia, crushed beneath the Sabine shields, 950 

Pound treason's merited meed. But o'er her corse, 
Silent as wolves, the bands of Cures scaled 
The sleeping city's ramparts. Ilia's son 
The gates had barred; but noiseless on its hinge 
Saturnia's self one postern open flung. 955 

Alone the keener sense of Venus caught 
The bolt withdrawn, and, — but that Heaven forbids 
A Godhead to undo a Godhead's deed, — 
Herself had reassured it. Nigh the spot 
By Janus' temple gushes, icy-cold, 960 



Book XIV.] APOTHEOSIS OF ROMULUS. 49 1 

A fountain sacred to the Ausonian Nymphs. 

To these she called for succour, nor in vain 

Preferred the just appeal. From all their depths 

The ready Naiads summoned all their waves, 

And, overflowing, by the open porch 965 

Of Janus swept in torrent, broad, but scant 

Of depth to flood the fane or bar the road. 

Then, round the sacred springs that feed below 

Their everlasting founts, sulphureous fires 

They light, till, fused through every channelled vein, 970 

The keen bituminous vapour sets a-glow 

The flood within, and what but now was cold 

As Alpine snow is hot as ^Etna's fire. 

Laved in the seething stream the portal-posts 

Of Janus smoked; and, blocking all the path 975 

Betrayed in vain, the new-born river held 

At bay the baffled Sabine, till the town 

Had time to rouse and arm, and Eomulus 

To battle led the eager brood of Mars. 

With corse on corse of foe or citizen 980 

The soil of Eome was strewn ; — each impious blade 

Was red with kindred gore : — the Sabine smote 

His daughter's husband, or the Roman slew 

His consort's sire. But ere the bitter end 

A treaty stayed the sword's arbitrament, 985 

And Tatius shared the blended kingdoms' throne. 

XVII. Tatius was dead: — and o'er a double realm 
Supreme, to either meting equal laws, 
Eeigned Eomulus. Unhelmed before the Sire 
Of Gods and men the Lord of battles knelt : — 990 



492 ASSUMPTION OF HERSILIA. [Book XIV. 

" Father! " lie said — " The time is ripe, the weal 

" Of Borne assured, nor on one ruler's life 

" Dependent longer. Now I claim the boon 

" Long since in solemn conclave of the Gods 

" To me and to thy worthy grandson pledged, — 995 

" For unforgotten in my memory dwell 

" Thy gracious words — ' Hereafter shall be One 

" ' For whom my Mars may ask, nor be denied, 

" * A place in Heaven.' — Fulfil thy promise now ! " 

He said: — and awful, as the Almighty Sire 1000 

Nodded assent, with thunder-clash and blaze 

Of lightning over Eome a tempest broke, 

And sudden darkness veiled the quaking town. 

That sign, propitious to his purposed rapt, 

The War-God hailed, and vaulting, lance in hand 1005 

Upon his chariot, o'er the steeds that whirled 

His slaughter-crimsoned axle shook the lash, 

And down through aether to the wood-crowned height 

Of Palatinus shot; and from the seat 

Of judgment, to the folk now all his own i o 1 o 

Dispensing royal justice, snatched the child 

Of Ilia to the Skies. As from the sling 

The bullet speeds and, lessening as it flies, 

In distance vanishes, his mortal part, 

Purged in the purer air, adown the winds 1 o 1 5 

Was borne and lost : — with nobler port he rose 

And larger stature — Romulus no more — 

Quirinus now; and robed, as in his fane 

Stands yet his mantled image, like a God 

Arrayed to press the banquet-couch of Heaven. 1020 



Book XIV.] ASSUMPTION OF HERSILIA. 493 

XVIII. Nor long Hersilia for her husband lost 
Was doomed to weep. Adown the radiant arch 
That spans the skies shot Iris, with the hest 
Of Jove's great consort charged. "Be comforted 
" Queen! boast and pride of either race 1 02 5 

" Latian or Sabine ! Worthiest erst to wed 
" The noblest of Earth's husbands, worthy now 
" To mate Quirinus ! Wipe away thy tears ! 
" And, if once more thy longing eyes would fain 
" Look on thy Spouse, arise, and follow me 1030 

" Where on the mount Quirinal nods the grove 
" That shades the temple of the Eoman King." 
So spake the Heavenly Envoy : — And the Queen, 
With timorous glance scarce lifted from the ground, 
Eeplied — " Goddess ! — for a Goddess sure T °35 

" Thou art, though by what name divine addressed 
" I know not, — lead, oh ! lead me to the spot ! 
" Give me to look once more upon my Lord, 
" Once more behold that face, whose sight to me 
"Is as the sight of Heaven! She spake; and, led 1040 
By that celestial guidance, to the hill 
Quirinal passed. And from its sphere a star 
Shot lucid down to Earth, with lambent flame 
Lighting her trailing tresses, as aloft 

It bore her to the skies: — where, to the breast 1045 

Of Eome's great Founder clasped — immortal now 
As he, — a Goddess, by Quirinus' side 
The new-named Ora took her place in Heaven. 



THE 



METAMORPHOSES 



OF 



PUBLIUS OVIDIUS NASO 



BOOK XV. 



THE METAMORPHOSES. 



BOOK XV. 

I. Who worthiest should succeed so great a King 
Was question now, — who capable to bear 
That burden's weight : — and Fame, whose herald voice 
Fore-runs Event, to noble Numa's hand 
Assigned the sceptre. Long adept in all 5 

That Sabine lore could teach, nor so content, 
With larger aim his soul aspired to know 
All Mature and her Laws. That yearning erst 
From Cures and his home had urged him forth, 
A wanderer, to the town where Hercules 10 

Of old had dwelt a guest. And " how it happed " 
He asked — " that on Italian soil a Greek 
" Those walls had reared 1 " A gray-beard of the place, 
Versed in all local legend, made reply. 
" Long since, 'tis said, on these Lavinian shores 15 

" Alcides landed, rich with Geryon's kine 
" Spoiled from Iberian fields; and, while his prize 
" Our plenteous pastures cropped, in Croto's halls 
" Found hospitable shelter and repose; 
2i 



498 



THE LEGEND OF CROTONA. 



[Book XV. 



" And, parting, spake prophetic : — ' On this spot 

" ' In time to come thy progeny shall see 

" ' A stately City ! ' And his word was sooth. 

" In Argos, of Alcmseon's lineage horn, 
" Graced with all favour of the Gods, there dwelt 
" One Myscelus : — to whom in dreams appeared 
" The wielder of the club. ' Arise! ' he said — 
" ' And leave thy native shores, and take thy way 
" * Where distant iEsaris to Ocean rolls 
" l His pebbly flood: — nor fail, lest of neglect 
" ' Come sorrow and repentance ! ' — "Warning so 
" The vision fled, and, with the vision, sleep. 
" Silent and anxious, all that day the youth 
" Pondered the dream, and doubtful of resolve. 
" ' Depart! ' the God had said; — but to depart 
" The Laws forbade : — in Argos, to desert 
" The natal soil was Death. — Beneath the wave 
" Once more had Phoebus plunged his fiery orb; — 
" Once more the brow of Night was gemmed with stars : 
" Again the vision came, — again the God — 
" But now with graver warning, sterner threat, — 
" Bade him depart. So overawed, the Youth 
" Made ready with his household-Gods to seek 
" On foreign shores a home : — but through the town 
" Ean murmur, and, impeached for breach of Law 
" They haled him to the Judge. The cause was short, - 
" The crime, without a witness, manifest : 
" But, ere his sentence spoken, to the skies 
" Piteous he spread his hands : — ' Thou ! ' he cried — 
" ' By twelve great labours raised to place in Heaven, 
" ' Befriend me now ! for of my crime Thyself 



20 



25 



3o 



35 



40 



46 



5o 



Book XV.] THE PYTHAGOREAN PHILOSOPHY. 499 

" ' Wert Author ! ' Ancient use by pebbles, white 

" Or black, absolving or condemning guilt, 

" Was wont to utter doom. Unanimous, 

" Stone upon stone, within the pitiless urn 

" The sable votes were dropped: — and lo! outpoured 55 

(i For counting, all were white ! The fatal hue 

"Abides changed, — and Myscelus went free! 

" For that deliverance to Amphitryon's Son 

" Due thanks he paid, — and o'er the Ionian main 

" With favouring breezes sailed. Tarentum, reared 60 

" By Spartan hands, was passed, and Sybaris, 

" And Sallentine Nesethus, Thurium's gulf, 

" And Temese, and Iapygia's fields, 

" Whence, coasting by the cliffs that front the Sea, 

" The mouth he reached of destined iEsaris, 65 

" Nor inland far descried the tomb that held 

" Old Croto's honoured bones: — and on that shore, 

" Assigned of Heaven, his town's foundations laid, 

" And gave the place its buried Worthy's name. 

" So, held for certain truth, Tradition tells 70 

" Crotona's origin; and so on soil 

" Italian rose this city of the Greek." 

II. 'Twas there in voluntary exile dwelt 
The Samian Sage, that, for the hate he bore 
To tyranny and tyrants, fled the Isle 7 5 

That gave him birth : — a soul that over-leaped 
The gulf 'twixt Earth and Heaven, and to the Gods 
Inquiring soared. All secrets Nature hides 
From grosser sight his mental ken had power 
To probe and fathom: — and the lore, acquired 80 



500 THE PYTHAGOREAN PHILOSOPHY. [Book XV 



By many a studious hour, he loved to teach 

For profit of his kind. Upon his lips 

Silent and rapt the admiring crowd would hang, 

The while he traced Creation's origin, — 

What Nature was, — what God; — how fell the snow; — 

Whence flashed the blaze of lightning; — whether Jove 86 

Or warring winds struck thunder from the clouds ; — 

And all the riddles that perplex the World. 

He earliest to the board of man forbade 
Whate'er drew breath of life ; and, eloquent 90 

With wisdom wasted on a barbarous age, 
" Forbear ! " he cried—" Mortals ! nor with food 
" Unhallowed dare pollute the frame designed 
" For purer nurture! Yours the harvest waves; — 
" For you the orchard bends its loaded boughs, 95 

" The vine its cluster swells, the garden bears 
" All wholesome herbs, or fresh, or to the taste 
" Made palatable, warmed by kindly fire; — 
" For you the udder yields its milky flood, — 
" The hive its fragrant treasure; — prodigal 100 

" For you spreads Nature all her varied store 
" Of dainties, pure of slaughter and of blood ! 
" Flesh is the food of brutes ! — though even of these 
" The gentler steed, the herd, the flock, refuse 
" The hideous provender. The fiercer tribes 105 

" Untamable, Armenia's tiger-brood, 
" Lion, and wolf, and bear, alone delight 
" To glut with blood their ravening hunger's rage. 
" What guilt of nature urges Man to cram 
" His bowels with the bowels of a beast, 1 1 o 

" With body fat his body's bulk, and choose 



Book XV.] THE PYTHAGOREAN PHILOSOPHY. 501 

" To nourish life with death of all that lives ? — 

" 'Mid all the store that Mother Nature, best 

" Of parents, proffers, must our savage teeth 

" Muscle from muscle rend and bone from bone, 115 

" And imitate the Cyclops' bloody feast 1 ? — 

" Nor without gust of slaughter satisfy 

" The craving belly's void? — Not so ordained 

" That earlier happier Age, surnamed of Gold, 

" When Man on orchard-fruit and garden-herb 120 

" Contented fed, nor stained his lips with blood. 

" Securely then the birds might skim the air; — 
" The hare untrembling sit; — no baited hook 
" Lured to his doom the unsuspecting fish; — 
" And, fearless of the uninvented snare, 125 

" All creatures lived in peace. Whose evil greed, 
" Loathing his natural diet, glutted first 
" With flesh his maw, I know not; but most sure 
" He paved the way to crime. The knife that shed 
" The blood of beasts was parent of the sword 130 

" Red with the gore of Man ! — I grant it just 
" To take the life that else would take our own, — 
" To slay, but not to eat. That right abused 
" Of self-defence was strained to license crime. - 
" Then first accused of guilt, the Swine, for food 135 

" Broad-snouted grubbing in the seeded fields, 
" Arraigned for marring of the farmer's hope, 
" Was judged to merit death. Then first the Goat, 
" For nibbling at the tendrilled vine condemned, 
" At Bacchus' altars bled. What fault there was T40 

" Perchance, in either, either paid. But ye — 
" What had ye done, ye flocks, ye peaceful race 



502 THE PYTHAGOREAN PHILOSOPHY. [Book XV 



" Created for Man's "blessing, that provide 

" To slake his thirst your udder's nectarous draught, 

" That with your fleece wrap warm his shivering limhs, 

" And serve him better with your life than death '] — 146 

" What fault was in the Ox, a creature mild 

" And harmless, docile, born with patient toil 

" To lighten half the labour of the fields 1 — 

" Ungrateful he, and little worth to reap 150 

" The crop he sowed, that, from the crooked share 

" Untraced, his ploughman slew, and to the axe 

" Condemned the neck that, worn beneath his yoke, 

" For many a Spring his furrows traced, and home 

" With many a harvest dragged his Autumn-wain ! 155 

" Nor this is all: — but Man must of his guilt 

" Make Heaven itself accomplice, and believe 

" The Gods with slaughter of their creatures pleased! 

" Lo ! at the altar — fairest of his kind, — 

" And by that very fairness marked for doom, — 160 

" The guiltless victim stands, — bedecked for death 

" With wreath and garland! — Ignorant he hears 

" The muttering Priest, — feels ignorant his brows 

" White with the sprinkling of the salted meal 

" To his own labour owed, — and ignorant 165 

" Wonders, perchance, to see the lustral urn 

" Plash back the glimmer of the hfted knife 

" Too soon to dim its brightness with his blood ! 

" And Priests are found to teach, and men to deem 

" That in the entrails, from the tortured frame 170 

" Yet reeking torn, they read the best of Heaven ! — 

" race of mortal men! what lust, what vice 

" Of appetite unhallowed, makes ye bold 



Book XV.] THE PYTHAGOREAN PHILOSOPHY. 503 

" To gorge your greed on Being like your own 1 

" Be wiselier warned : — forbear the barbarous feast, 175 

" jSTor in each bloody morsel that ye chew 

" The willing labourer of your fields devour ! 

" The God my utterance prompts! I may not thwart 
" The prompting God, that bids these lips disclose 
" Oracular the secret of the skies, 180 

" The scheme and purpose of the Mind Supreme, 
" And all the mighty mysteries, hidden long 
" From earlier quest. — What joy ! amid the stars 
" To soar, and cloud-borne, from this cloggy Earth 
" Uplifted, as from Atlas' shoulders view 185 

" Beneath the blinded souls of men that, void 
" Of reason, grope in darkness, terrified 
" At prospect of their end, — and thus, with rede 
" Inspired, declare the ordinance of Fate ! 

" Eace of men, with fear of chilly Death 190 

" Perturbed and quaking, — whence this idle dread 
" Of Styx or Hades, — empty names, — the dream 
" Of Bards whose fancy fills with torments feigned 
" A fabled World ] — This bodily frame, dissolved 
" By age, disease, or blazing pyre, endures 195 

" But seeming harm. The Soul, that cannot die, 
" Its ancient dwelling quits but to inform 
" With life some newer tenement. — I bear 
" In memory yet how, at beleaguered Troy, 
" Myself was once Euphorbus, Panthus' heir, 200 

" And in that strife met death-wound from the spear 
" Of Atreus' lesser son : — nor long ago 
" In Juno's Argive fane suspended saw 
" And recognised the shield that there I bore. 



504 THE PYTHAGOREAN PHILOSOPHY. [Book XV. 

" All changes : — nothing perishes ! — Now here, 205 

" Now there, the vagrant spirit roves at will, 
" The shifting tenant of a thousand homes : — 
" Now, elevate, ascends from heast to man, — 
" Now, retrograde, descends from man to beast ; — 
" But never dies! — Upon the tablet's page 210 

" Erased, and written fresh, the characters 
" Take various shape, — the wax remains the same: — 
" So is it with the Soul that, migrating 
" Through all the forms of breathing life, retains 
" Unchanged its essence. — be wise, and hear 215 

" Heaven's warning from my prophet-lips, nor dare 
" With impious slaughter, for your glutton-greed, 
" The kindly bond of Nature violate, 
" Nor from its home expel the Soul, perchance 
" Akin to yours, to nourish blood with blood! 220 

" Now list, while, launched upon a boundless Sea 
" Yet unexplored — all canvas set — I sail ! 
" Perpetual Change is Nature's life and law. 
" Naught permanent endures. Eternal flux 
" Renews the world: — and, mobile from its birth, 225 

"" All sentient essence shifts from form to form. 
'" Time's very self flows as the river runs: — 
" Nor stream nor hour can stop. As in the flood, 
" Prior or sequent, in continual chase 
" Wave urges wave, pursuing and pursued, — 230 

" So each on each the hurrying moments press 
" In ever-fresh succession. Yesterday, 
"That was, is dead; — To-day, that was not, is; — 
" And dies To-morrow! — Time is ever new! 
" Observe how darkness gradual clears to dawn, — 235 



Book XV.] THE PYTHAGOREAN PHILOSOPHY. 505 

" How day with cheerful "beam succeeds to night: — 

" What different dye the Heavens assume, when drowned 

" In midnight-slumber lies the weary world; — 

" When first the white steed of the morning-star 

" Springs forth to run his course; — or when, again, 240 

" Aurora, herald of the stronger day, 

" To Phoebus yields her tender-tinted skies. 

" The orbed shield that loads the Day-God's arm 

" When first above the horizon's marge he mounts, — 

" When last below the horizon's marge he sinks, — 245 

" Glows crimson-red ; — but in his noontide height 

" He shines with whiter radiance, throned in air 

" More pure, and farther from the taint of Earth. 

" Nocturnal Dian's face not twice alike 

" Looks down from Heaven; — or, waxing, than to-night 

" With ampler round she lights to-morrow's eve, 251 

" Or, waning, fainter beams with lessened orb. 

" Mark, in the circuit of the quartered year, 

" How Season following Season typifies 

" The life of man. The Spring is as the child 255 

" New-weaned, yet craving for the Mother's breast; — 

" The tender delicate nursling of the months 

" That bid the herbage wear a fresher green, — 

" And prank with early flowers the laughing meads, — 

" That glad with swelling bud and sprouting blade 260 

" The hopeful farmer's heart; — delicious time 

" Of promise, ere maturing suns impart 

" Strength to the stalk and virtue to the leaf. 

" The year grows strong in Summer, as the Boy 
" Adult in Man: — then lustier Nature teems 265 

" Prolific most, — then hottest boils the blood. 



506 THE PYTHAGOREAN PHILOSOPHY. [Book XV. 

" Mature and mild, — the fever of the pulse 
" That vexes youth subdued to temperate heat, — 
" A traveller more than midway on the path 
" 'Twixt birth and death, with lines of silvering gray 270 
" Streaking his locks, comes sober Autumn next: — 
" And last, with visage pinched and hobbling gait 
" Old Winter, — all the honours of his head 
" Or lost, or thin, and white as driven snow. 

" Our very bodies change. We shall not be, 275 

" To-morrow, what but yesterday we were, 
" Or are to-day. Time was, when in the womb 
" We dwelt, — a drop, the germ of possible man, 
" Was all our substance. Nature's cunning hand, 
" In pity of the Mother's throes, sets free 280 

" The waxing embryo, — leads us forth to light 
" And air and life: — the feeble Infant first, 
" Powerless to move or speak: — in time, the Eabe 
" That prone, four-footed like a beast o' the field, 
" Makes shift to crawl: — the Child, that later taught 285 
" To stand, — its lax and nerveless limbs sustained 
" From fall by aid of go-cart or of chair, — 
" Essays with tottering effort unassured 
" Its earliest steps : — the strong and active Boy : — 
" And last, — the holiday of Youth played out, — 290 

" The strife and struggle of the middle years 
" Fought to the end, — the Veteran, limping down 
" The hill that slopes to Age, — the Thief that waits 
" Below to filch from frame and soul alike 
" All vigour of the Past, nor in the wreck 295 

" Leaves trace of what he steals. Old Milo weeps 
" To feel the arms, whose solid muscle matched 



Book XV.] THE PYTHAGOREAN PHILOSOPHY. S°7 

" Of yore Alcides' own, hang nerveless now 

" And flaccid from his side: — and Helen's eyes 

" Are wet with tears to see her mirror's orb 300 

" Keflect the wrinkles of a withered hag, 

" That can but wonder why she twice was raped ! 

" So all-devouring Time and envious Age 
" In ever-ravenous banquet waste and mar 
" All mortal kind, and leave to lingering Death 305 

" The torn and mangled relics of the feast. 

" Nor what we call the Elements abide 
" More constant; — note what change they undergo. 
" Four generative Powers combine to form 
" The World's eternal mass : — whereof are two 310 

" By their own weight depressed to lower place, 
" Water and Earth: — two lighter and aloft 
" Aspiring, Air, and Eire more pure than Air: 
" Distinct in station all, but each from each 
" Developed still, and each in each resolved. 315 

" Earth into Water melts, and, rarefied, 
" Water to Air; Air lightened more of weight 
"Ascends and gleams aloft in subtlest Eire. 
" Then backward runs the order; — re-condensed 
" The Eire is Air, Air Water, Water Earth. 320 

" Nor long the same rests either, — Nature so 
" With everlasting change of form to form 
" Repairs her restless bulk. In all the space 
" Of this huge World naught perishes ! The shape 
" And aspect vary, but the Thing remains. 325 

" In Birth — so-called — we but begin to be 
" Something we were not earlier; — and in Death 
" But cease to be the same that now we are. 



508 THE PYTHAGOREAN PHILOSOPHY. [Book XV. 



The sum of matter, shifted here and there, 
Is constant: — but nor part nor particle 330 

Unchanged its form original maintains. 
" Thus, in the process of the vanished years, 
The Age of Iron heired the Age of Gold : — 
Thus local chance and fortune change the face 
Of Earth, and Place is mutable as Time. 335 

Myself have sailed on Seas that cover now 
What once was solid Land, — have trodden Land 
Where erst was Sea; — and gathered, inland far, 
Pink ocean-shells, and in the mountain's top 
Imbedded found the anchor's rusty fluke. 340 

The lapse of Waters to a hollow vale 
Will groove the plain, and to the level dwarf 
The sapped and crumbling hills. Where earlier stood 
The Lake, a Desert spreads its waste of sand, — 
And the once-thirsty Desert floats, a Lake. 345 

New Springs gush forth, and ancient Fountains fail; 
And Earth, yet tortured with her primal throes, 
Yawns here to give fresh Eivers birth, and there 
To drink old floods and leave their channels dry. 
In such a chasm sinks Lycus, but to rise 350 

Elsewhere and roll adown a foreign bed. 
So buried Erasmus starts to life 
Renewed in Argive fields. And legend tells 
How Mysus, of his ancient source and banks 
A-weary, dived beneath, to find afar 355 

New birth and name, and as Caicus flow. 
To-day, a torrent Amenanus foams 
Thick with Sicilian sands; to-morrow, locks 
Fast in its caves his prisoned flood, and bares 



Book XV.] THE PYTHAGOREAN PHILOSOPHY. 509 

" A dry and thirsty channel to the Sun. 360 

" Anigros once, — if Poets' tales be sooth, — 

" Ean wholesome, potable: — the bi-form brood 

" Of Centaurs, bleeding from Alcides' shafts, 

" And plunging there to lave their gory flanks, 

" Tainted the stream, — and no man tastes it more. 365 

" The hill-born flood of Scythian Hypanis, 

" Sweet at the source, turns brackish as it flows. 

" Antissa, Pharos, and Sidonian Tyre, 

" Once girdled by the waves, are isles no more : 

"While Leucas, tilled of old by mainland swains, 370 

" Now rent and parted stands a sea-girt Isle. 

" Sicilian Zancle to Italian soil 

" Was wedded erst, till Xeptune broke the bond 

" And through the strait his raging billows poured. 

" AVho seeks for Boris now or Helice, — 375 

" Achaia's earlier boast, — may find them yet, 

" But find them drowned : — beneath the clearer wave 

" Of summer-seas the mariner will show 

" The buried towns and trace their slanting walls. 

" Hard by Pitthsean Trcezen stands a hill, 380 

" Steep, without shade of tree; — a plain of yore, 

" A mountain now, — since, strange to tell, the force 

" Of winds in cavernous prison pent beneath, 

" Chafing to find some vent to freer air, — 

" Some chink or cranny in their dungeon's roof 385 

" To give their fury way, — and baffled still 

" Of exit, dome-like heaved the crusting soil 

" Dilated, as an urchin's breath will puff 

" A bladder, or some autumn vintager 

"The goat's distended skin. Conspicuous yet, 390 



510 THE PYTHAGOREAN PHILOSOPHY. [Book XV. 

" Hardened by Time, the mighty tumour stands, 
" And to the vulgar seems a natural hill. 

" Of thousand more examples yet a few 
" I cite, perchance familiar. Water's self 
" Hath varying virtue. Horned Amnion's fount 395 

" At noon is ice; at eve or dawning boils ! — 
" A staff, when thinnest pales the waning moon, 
" In Athamanian springs immersed, will blaze 
" A kindled torch! — Athwart Ciconia's plains 
"A river flows that freezes with its draught 400 

" The drinker's very vitals, and transforms 
" Whate'er it laves to stone. — Our neighbour streams 
" Crathis and Sybaris, with fairer tint, 
" Amber or gold, will dye the bather's locks. — 
" Nor lacks in some the stranger power to work 405 

" On soul as well as body. Who but knows 
" The story of that Carian fount obscene 
" Of Salmacis, or of the iEthiop lakes 
" Whereof who drinks goes straightway mad, or falls 
" Stupid and senseless in lethargic sleep? — 410 

" Who quaffs but once of Cleitor's spring will loathe 
" The taste of wine, nor save with water slake 
" His thirst thereafter; — whether in the flood 
" Some native coldness dwells, antagonist 
" To draughts of hotter gust; — or, — since what time 415 
" (As legend vouches) Amithaon's Son, 
" With chant, and herb, and potion of that fount, 
" Restored to sense the maddened Proetides, 
" The sobering lymph retains its hate of wine. 
" With opposite power endowed Lyncestius flows, 420 

" Whereof who does but sip will reel away, 



Book XV.] THE PYTHAGOREAN PHILOSOPHY. 5 1 1 

" As drunk, and giddy with unmingled wine. 

" Arcadian Ladon — Pheneos called of old — 

" Suspected pours a doubtful wave, — at night 

" A poison, but by day a wholesome draught. 425 

"So Lakes and Eivers various virtues own. 

" Time was, when, wandering restless o'er the Deep 
" Ortygia floated, — stable now in place 
" Amid her sister-isles : — when Argo shot 
" In fear and trembling through the perilous strait 430 

" Where, churned to foam betwixt the bandying rocks 
" The earlier flood not barred from shock and clash 
" The vexed Symplegades, that steadfast now 
" Abide nor care for any wind that blows. 
" Time was, ere yet the furnace at the heart 435 

" Of sulphurous iEtna blazed; — and time will be 
" When it shall blaze no more. For — whether Earth 
"Is animal, and lives, and breathing flame 
" Through thousand spiracles, requires to shift 
" (With earthquake pangs and fissure here or there 440 
"iNbw cleft now closed,) her respirative vents; — 
" Or whether winds deep pent in cavernous cells, 
" Explosive, force aloft in flinty shower 
" The fragments of their shattered prison, fraught 
" With seeds of fire that, hurtling as they mount, 445 

" Break into flame, and, setting Earth a-light, 
" Blaze out till — all their fury spent — they die, 
" And vacant leave a cooled and windless cave : — 
" Whether some central mass bituminous, 
" Some sulphurous core, ignites, and burns till all 450 

" Its unctuous substance, charred, in dwindling spire 
" Of feeble smoke evaporates : — howsoe'er 



512 THE PYTHAGOREAN PHILOSOPHY. [Book XV. 

" This be, — the Time will come, when Earth must lack 
"Fresh aliment of flame, and Nature's fires, 
" With saecular blaze exhausted, lose their force, 455 

" And spent and starved for lack of fuel die. 

" North of Pallene dwells, if Tame be true, — 
" A Hyperborean race that, in the Lake 
" Tritonian nine times bathing, rises clad 
" With downy vest and feathered like the birds. 460 

" I doubt the story : — though in similar guise, 
" Smeared with some magic juice, the Scythian crones 
" Are said to wing the air. But instances 
" Analogous, and proved, compel belief. 
" Who has not seen how bodies, putrefied 465 

" By slow decay or liquefying heat, 
" Minuter life engender 1 — Go ! and kill 
" The lordly Bull, and bury — not too deep — 
" The carcass : — and his festering bulk, as well 
" Experience knows, will generate a swarm 470 

" Of bees that, with ancestral industry 
" And loving labour, crop the honeyed fields 
" And glad the hive with hope of winter-store. — 
" The horse, inhumed, will give the hornet birth. — 
" Tear from the stranded crab his arching claws, — 475 
" Bury the rest, — and lo ! a scorpion springs 
" To life, and threatening curls his venomous tail ! 
" The grub that in his filmy tunic sheathed 
" Hangs on the leaf, — as every rustic knows, — 
" Transmuted flutters out a baneful moth. 480 

" The slime of ponds, instinct with embryo-life, 
" Begets the green-and-yellow-coated frog, — 
" A limbless tadpole born, — that, as he grows, 



Book XV.] THE PYTHAGOREAN PHILOSOPHY. 513 

" With oary feet developed cleaves the pool, 

" And legs that, framed for active spring, behind .485 

" Are longer than before. — The she-bear's cub 

" !N~ew-whelped is but a formless lump of flesh 

" That, licked and fashioned by the mother's tongue, 

" Takes shape at last and semblance like her own. — 

" The tenant of the hive's hexagonal cell 490 

" At birth is memberless, and, but with time 

" Matured, finds legs to crawl and wings to fly. — 

" Who, that not knows the fact, would possible 

" The fact believe, that, from the central yolk 

" Cased in the egg-shell's round should spring the bird 495 

" Of Juno, glorious with its fan-like tail 

" Be-sprent with stars, — the Eagle-Squire that bears 

" The Thunderer's weapons, — Cytherea's doves, — 

" And every meaner fowl that wings the sky] — 

" There are who hold that in the spine of Man 500 

" Deceased, and in the vaulted tomb corrupt, 
" The festering marrow quickens to a snake ! 

" So various life hath various origin 
" And foreign-seeming source. — One bird alone 
" Can renovate and reproduce itself, — 505 

" Assyria's Phoenix; — not with vulgar food 
" Nurtured of grain or herb, but fed with tears 
" Wept from the incense-tree and amber drops 
" Of rich Amomus' gums. Five centuries 
" He lives, and, when the last is at its close, 510 

" With beak and claw constructs, amid the boughs 
" Of ilex or the palm-tree's waving crown, 
" A nest with aromatic texture lined 
" Of cassia, spikenard, and the shredded bark 
2k 



5 14 THE PYTHAGOREAN PHILOSOPHY. [Book XV. 

" Of cinnamon, and myrrha's golden leaf; 515 

" Then on the kindled fragrance takes his place, 

" And in a blaze of odorous flame expires ! 

" But, of his Father's ashes horn, there springs 

" An infant Phoenix, destined to a life 

" Long as his sire's; that — so the story runs — 520 

" Soon as his stronger wings are nerved to hear 

" Such burden, lightens of its load the tree, 

" And, bearing on his back his Father's tomb, 

" His proper cradle, seeks with southward flight 

" The City of the Sun, and in the porch 525 

" Of Helios' temple lays the sacred freight. 

" Does this your wonder move ? — Then more admire 
" How years alternate change Hyaena's sex, 
" A twelvemonth female and a twelvemonth male ! — 
" How, fed on air, Chamseleon with the hue 530 

" Of what he touches dyes his fickle skin ! — 
" How India's Lynx, to the victorious car 
" Of Bacchus harnessed, from his bladder voids 
" A stream congealed in voidance, crystallised 
" Ere touch of Earth to gems ! — How flexible 535 

" Beneath the Deep the branching Coral waves 
" Its vegetable arms, and but with breath 
" Of upper air is hardened into stone ! — 

" The day would fail, and Phoebus in the wave 
" Befresh his panting team, ere I exhaust 540 

" The catalogue of Change. Enough ! — Ye know 
" How, with vicissitude of lapsing years, 
" States have their flux and Nations wax and wane. 
" Great Troy, that scarce could count for multitude 
" Her muster-roll of heroes, — that, besieged, 545 



Book XV.] THE PYTHAGOREAN PHILOSOPHY. 515 

" Had strength to bear a ten-years' drain of blood, — 

" Lies low in ruin, and, for all the wealth 

" She owned but shows her children's crumbling tombs ! 

" Mycenae, — Sparta, — Cecrops' Town, — the walls 

" Amphion built, — were strong and famous once: — 550 

" What are they now? — Mycenae's lofty towers 

" Long since are levelled, — Sparta is a waste, — 

" yEdipodean Thebes a Poet's myth, — 

" And Pandionian Athens but a name ! — 

" To-day, Fame loudest bruits the rising power 555 

" Of that new City, founded fast and strong 
" By Tiber's stream of Appeninus born, 
" Dardanian Pome, — that widens with her growth 
" The limits of her sway, in riper time 
" The destined Empress of the measureless World! 560 
" The Seers have said it, and the Oracles 
" Whose voice is Pate. — Thus, when beleaguered Troy 
" Was tottering to her fall, — (as I myself 
" Heard and remember, — ) to ^Eneas, sad 
" For Ilion's fate and doubtful of his own, 565 

" Spake Helenus, King Priam's prophet-son: — 
" ' Goddess-born ! — if e'er event has proved 
" ' My foresight true, be comforted ! — for Troy 
" ' Not all can perish while iEneas lives ! 
" ' Foe, fire, and sword will yield thee way to fly 570 

" ' And with thee carry Pergamus, afar 
" ' On foreign shores and friendlier than thine own 
" ' To found a happier Troy. Lo ! Phrygian-built 
" ' I see the glorious City, — never Town 
" ' That was, or is, or shall be, half so fair! 575 

" * By many a famous chief through many an age 



516 THE PYTHAGOREAN PHILOSOPHY. [Book XV. 

" ' To Empire trained, till of lulus' blood 

" ' Comes One, to set upon her queenly brows 

" ' The diadem of the World, and, — that high task 

" ' For Earth performed, — by the impatient Gods 580 

" ' Demanded, pass too soon from Eome to Heaven! ' 

"So to the chief that, later, from the flames 

" Bore safe his household-Gods, spake Helenus: 

" And I, who heard, then Trojan, hail to-day 

" The new-born City of my ancient kin, 585 

"And joy to know Greece conquered but to give 

" To Phrygia's sons in Eome a nobler Troy ! 

" But, — for 'tis time I check my swerving steeds 
" Forgetful of the goal, — the sum is this : — 
" In Heaven, in Earth, in all above, below, 590 

" Life shifts with endless change from form to form. 
" O let us then, who parcel of this whole 
" Exist, not corporal merely, but with souls 
" Endowed that, in migration, capable 
" Of other homes, may animate a beast, 595 

" Bespect the bodies that perchance may house 
" The spirit of our brother, or our kin, 
" Or, at the least, our fellow-man: — nor dare 
" To violate the sacred seat of Life, 
" And with Thyestes' banquet foul the board ! 600 

" Oh ! evil-schooled is he, and evil-trained 
" To human slaughter, that with barbarous knife 
" Can slit the weasand of the calf, and hear 
" Unmoved his lowing victim plead for life ! — 
" That slays the innocent kid, with feeble bleat 605 

" Protesting, piteous as an infant's cry ! — 
" Or feeds upon the fowl himself hath fed ! — 



Book XV.] GRIEF OF EGERIA. 517 

" What lacks he yet, save time, for deeper guilt 1 — 

" A bloody path he treads, — and but a step 

" Will lead him on to murder! — Let the ox 610 

" Still plough your fields, — the sheep her fleece supply 

" To wrap you from the cold, — the she-goat drain 

" Her udder for your draught, — nor die before 

" Their date, and but to Nature owe their end ! 

" Renounce the trap, the mesh, the lime-twig set 615 

" To snare the feathered race ! — Unstring the bow 

" Bent for the slaughter of the bounding stag ! 

" Nor in the bait conceal the treacherous hook ! 

" Whate'er is noxious kill — as kill ye may — 
" But only kill: — forbear the guilty feast, 620 

" And live content with Nature's fitter food ! " 

So taught the Samian : — and, with all his lore 
Instructed, home came Numa, to assume 
Unsought consenting Latium's offered crown. 
A Nymph his Bride — and every Muse his friend — 625 
A happy Prince he reigned, that to the Gods 
Due service taught of rite and sacrifice, 
And bade a savage People, nursed in War, 
The blessing learn of Peace and peaceful arts. 

For him, when full of years he closed at once 630 

His reign and life, the daughters of the land 
Went mourning, and the sons; and o'er his tomb 
Patrician and Plebeian wept alike. 

From Eome self-banished fled his widowed spouse 
Egeria, buried in the woods that shade . 635 

Aricia's vale; and, inconsolable, 
With plaint and moan perpetual vexed the rites 
Of Orestean Dian. — Ah ! how oft 



5 18 STORY OF HIPPOLYTUS. [Book XV. 

The Nymphs of grove and fountain would reprove 

Her obstinate grief, — how oft the Hero-son 640 

Of Theseus bid her moderate the tears 

Too long indulged: — "Not thou alone" — he said — 

" Hast suffered ! — Look around thee, and with sight 

" Of others' sorrows easier bear thine own ! 

" I would than mine some readier tale I knew 645 

" To lesson thee to patience, — yet mine own 

" May serve. Thine ears, belike, in happier days 

" Have heard the name of that Hippolytus 

" Who by a lying Step-dame and a Sire 

" Too blindly credulous was done to death: — 650 

" Strange as 't may seem, and haply past belief, 

"That same Hippolytus am I, — whom erst 

" Pasiphae's lustful daughter wooed in vain 

" To wrong my Father's bed, — and, or in fear 

" Of guilt exposed or furious at repulse, 655 

" With shifted accusation charged on me 

" The foul proposal of her proper lust. 

" With curses heaped upon my parting head 
" My Father drove me forth : — and fugitive 
" I sought Pitthsean Trcezen. As my car 660 

" Traversed the sands that skirt Corinthus' gulf, 
" To mountain-height the waters swelled, and heaved 
" A cloven crest, whence with tremendous roar 
" Emerged a monster Bull, that o'er the flood 
" Breast-high from mouth and nostril spouted forth 665 
" Another sea of foam. My train aghast 
"Beheld: — for me, my banishment engrossed 
" My every thought nor left me room for fear. 
" But as my mettled steeds turned Ocean-ward 



Book XV.] STORY OF HIPPOLYTUS. 519 

"Their eyes and saw that hideous beast, with ears 670 

" Erect in terror plunging from the track 

" They swerved, and headlong o'er the jutting rocks 

" Ungovernable whirled the reeling car. 

" Bridle and housing white with snorted foam 

" They sped: — I, backward bending all my weight, 675 

" Tugged at the straining reins, in hope to curb 

" Their mad career. And yet, methinks, my strength 

" Their rage had mastered: — but a fatal stump 

" Projecting caught the swaying chariot's spokes, 

" And from the axle rent the shattered wheel. 680 

" Headlong I fell ! and, tangled in the reins 

" Was dragged, — my followers saw the sickening sight, — 

" My trailing entrails torn by stock and stone, — 

" My mangled limbs, part with the whirling car 

" Whirled on, part scattered on the rending rocks,— 685 

" And heard the crashing of my pounded bones, — 

" Till brayed and battered out the weary soul 

" Expired, and left a palpitating mass, 

" ~No part no feature cognisable more, 

" One mere contusion, one enormous wound! 690 

" What likeness, what proportion bears thy woe, 
" Too querulous Nymph, to mine 1 ? — who saw, besides, 
" The darksome nether realm of Shades, and bathed 
" In Phlegethon my lacerated corse, 

" Thence only by the arts of Phoebus' son 695 

" With medicinal herb and potent drug, 
" In spite of jealous Dis, restored to life. 

" Around me, lest my sight should wake anew 
" The malice of my foes, Diana flung 
" A cloud, and safe from recognition clad 700 



520 THE SPEAR OF ROMULUS. [Book XV. 

" My form with semblance of maturer years. 

" Long doubtful or in Delos or in Crete 

" To fix my dwelling, — both alike renounced, — 

" She placed me here, and bade me bear no more 

" The name suggestive of those fatal steeds : — 705 

" ' Hippolytus of yore be Yirbius now! ' 

" She said : — and, from that time, a minor God, 

" And in her gracious tutelage secure, 

" I haunt her grove and follow in her train." 

But never tale of others' griefs might soothe 710 

Egeria's woe : — upon the mountain-slopes 
Weeping she lay, till Phoebus' Sister, moved 
To pity of that pious sorrow, changed 
The mourner to a fount that, icy-cold, 
Distils in flood perpetual as her tears. 715 

Amazed the Mountain-Nymphs the miracle 
Beheld; nor less the Amazonian-born 
Astounded stood, than erst the Tuscan swain 
That in his furrow saw the senseless clod 
Self-stirred upheave, and, with no help of hand 720 

Moulded to human shape, its new-born lips 
Unclose with presage of events to come. 
Tages men named the marvellous creature, first 
To teach Etruria's the skill they boast 
In divination and prophetic lore. — 725 

Not less surprised Home's Founder saw his spear, 
At random launched, in Palatums' slope 
Yet quivering, for a fibrous root exchange 
Its steely barb, — and watched the weapon grow 
And bourgeon to a stately tree, and cool 730 

The wondering hill with unexpected shade. — 



Book XV.] LEGEND OF CIPPUS. 52 1 

Not more astounded Cippus, — Eome-ward bound 

Victorious from the field, — when in the stream 

He saw strange horns reflected on his brow, 

And, laughing at the quaint illusion, raised 735 

A careless hand and felt what he beheld ! 

And, so convinced his eyes not played him false, 

Bade halt his following, and with hands outspread 

And Heaven-ward glance, — " all ye Gods ! " he said — 

" Whate'er event this portent signifies, 740 

" If well it bodes, to Eome and to her sons 

" Assign the good ! — if ill, to me the harm ! " 

Then on a turf-built altar to the flames 

Incense he gave, and wine, and sacrifice, 

And in the victim's quivering entrails sought 745 

To read his fate. Of gravest import seemed 

The omens, yet obscure: — the Tuscan Seer 

Gazed long and doubtful, — then, with kindling glance 

Uplifted to the horns on Cippus' brow, — 

" All hail! " he cried, " King! — for Latium's crown 750 

" To thee and to thy horns the Fates have given ! 

" The hour is come! Pass yonder gates, and reign, 

" And give to Eome an endless line of Kings ! " 

Back sprang the Chief, and from the City's walls 
Turned resolute his eyes: — " Now may the Gods 755 

" Avert " — he cried — " such omens ! — Better far 
" Exiled I live, and die a banished man, 
" Than yon free Capitol see me crowned a King! " 
He spake, and straight to council summoned forth 
The People and the Senate. Eound his brows 760 

A laurel wreath he bound that veiled his horns, 
And, from the rampart that begirt his camp, 



522 LEGEND OF CIPPUS. [Book XV. 

First fortified with, solemn prayer to Heaven, 

Bespake the multitude: — " Among us here 

" Stands one " — he cried — " who, suffered to set foot 765 

" In Rome, will be your King ! — I name him not 

" Save by this sign : — a horned brow he bears ! 

" Let him but pass your City's gates, — if truth 

" Be in your Augurs' rede, that horned man 

" Will make ye slaves ! — He might have passed ere now, 

" For I alone withstood him, and yet none 771 

" Is nearer to my love. Or banish him, 

" Quirites ! or in fetters bind him fast, 

" If chains be pledge enough, or by his blood 

" Assure the freedom perilled while he lives ! " 775 

He said : — and through the crowd such murmur ran 
As Eurus in the pine-woods' pillared aisles 
Is wont to waken, — like the distant roar 
Of Ocean breaking on a shingly strand : 
But dominant o'er the tumult rang distinct 780 

One cry — " His name ! his name ! " — and each man cast 
Suspicious looks upon his neighbour's brows, 
Seeking that ominous badge. — " Behold him here ! " 
The Hero cried, — and, tearing from his front 
The veiling garland, showed the horns he bore. 785 

From all the throng one moan of sorrow broke, 
And down each glance was bent : — they would not see 
That honoured brow's dishonour. " Wear again " — 
They cried — " the laurel ! Never Conqueror more 
" Deserved the wreath!" — And of the public land 790 

To the self-banished Exile gave such space 
As from the rising to the setting Sun 
His ploughshare might encircle. Yet in Eome 



Book XV.] AESCULAPIUS BROUGHT TO ROME. 523 

There stand the "brazen columns, long to stand, 

With Cippns' horns engraved and Cippus' tale. 795 

Ye Sisters Mne, that present aid all song, 
Tell now, — for faithful of remotest eld 
Ye keep the record, — how Coronis' son, 
Shrined in the isle by cloven Tiber laved, 
Found place and honour 'mid the Gods of Eome ! 800 

Long years ago a direful Pestilence 
Tainted the air of Latium : — bloodless, pale, 
Men drooped, and sank, and rotted ere they died : — 
Incessant funerals blackened all the land : — 
~No cure, no check: — the malady defied 805 

The Leech's baffled art. Then, desperate 
Of human help, to Heaven they turned for aid. 
To Phoebus' Delphian seat, the Oracle 
Central of Earth, ambassadors they sent, 
And prayed the God some wholesome counsel give 810 
To heal the suffering State. Beneath their feet 
Earth quaked, and on the laurel's rustling boughs 
The pendent quiver rattled, as the Yoice 
Made answer, awful, from the inmost shrine : — 
" Eoman! what here thou seekest, nearer home 815 

" Thou should'st have looked for ! — nearer seek it yet ! 
" For not Apollo, but Apollo's child, 
" Must cure your City's plague. Depart in peace, 
" And with good omens bear my Son to Eome ! " 

That answer heard and weighed, — the chosen seat 820 
Of AEsculapius ascertained, — once more 
The Fathers bade their Envoy cross the seas 
To Epidaurus. Soon as in the port 
He anchored, — audience of the Senate sought 



524 AESCULAPIUS BROUGHT TO ROME. [Book XV. 

And gained, — he told the Oracle, and prayed 825 

The Argive Sires bestow on Eome the God 
So Fate-ordained to heal Ausonia's wound. 
Opinions varied : — part inclined to grant 
The help so sorely needed, — part refused 
To rob their City of her boast and yield 830 

To stranger-hands their tutelary God : 
And, ere debate was ended, fell the shades 
Of Eve, and Mght in darkness wrapped the world. 
Then by the slumbering Eoman's couch there stood 
In dreams the healing God, — as in his fane 835 

Ye see him, — smoothing with his better hand 
The reverend honours of his chin, — his left 
On rustic staff supported. Calm, and clear, 
Gracious he spake : — " Dismiss thy doubt ! — I come ! 
" But not as now thou seest me. Mark the Snake 840 
" That twines around this staff, — observe him well 
" So as again to know him: — to such shape 
" Transformed, but larger, as befits a God, 
" I go with thee to Eome! " — He said, and ceased; — 
And with the ceasing voice the vision fled, 845 

And with the vision Night and Sleep, — and Dawn 
On Darkness followed. — Soon as from the Skies 
Aurora chased the Stars, yet unresolved 
Of answer to the Godhead's stately fane 
The Fathers took their way, and bade Himself 850 

By some clear sign make manifest what seat 
His choice preferred. Scarce ended was the prayer, 
When awful hissing from the shrine announced 
The present God : — and forth, with golden crest, 
Writhing in sinuous volume, serpentine, 855 



Book XV.] ^SCULAPIUS BROUGHT TO ROME. 525 

He came : — from marble floor to gilded roof 

The Temple quaked; — statue, and altar-stone, 

Column, and portal, rocked. — Adown the nave 

Midway he paused, and, rearing half his coils 

Erect, around him rolled his fiery eyes. 860 

Awe-stricken stood the throng. The Priest alone, — 

His blameless brows with snowy fillet bound, — 

His Master recognised : — " The God ! 'tis He ! 

" The God ! " he cried—" Be still ! Let no man speak ! 

" glorious Presence! be this sight the pledge 865 

" Of grace and favour to thy loyal town ! " 

He said : — and reverent the adoring crowd 
Echoed the pious prayer. With other hope 
In silent worship knelt the Sons of Eome. 
To these the Serpent bent his head, and, thrice 870 

His crest erecting, thrice with flickering tongue 
Hissed favourable omen. Then adown 
The porch's marble steps majestical 
He glided, turning still a backward glance 
Of Farewell to his altar and his fane 875 

Abandoned, and the home so long his own : 
Along the crowded streets thick-carpeted 
With scattered flowers he swept, and, mounting now 
The mole that guards the harbour from the Sea, 
Once more He paused, and to his priestly train 880 

Attendant, and the throng that convoyed him, 
With gracious gesture seemed to signify 
Thanks and dismissal. Then on board the bark 
Of Latium, conscious of her freight divine, 
And strained with burden of immortal weight, 885 

He passed, and took his place. Upon the strand 



526 ^SCULAPIUS BROUGHT TO ROME. [Book XV. 

A Bull to Jove the thankful Roman slew : — 

Then, garlanding with flowers his galley's mast, 

His cahle loosed and parted. Fair for Eome 

The wafting breezes blew. Upon the poop, 890 

Conspicuous, coiled in many a gleaming orb, 

The Godhead held his station, watching calm 

The azure waves. Five days the gentle breath 

Of Zephyr sped her o'er the Ionian deep, 

And, with the sixth, Ausonia's welcome shores 895 

Were sighted. Iapygia far astern 

Faded from view : — by Juno's templed steep 

Lacinian, and by Scylace she flew : — 

Seaward her flashing oars were bent to shun 

Amphissa's rocky shoals : — Ceraunia's cliff 900 

Precipitous was rounded : — flying South 

Eomechium, Caulon, and Narycia watched 

Her vanishing sails : — the perilous Strait was stemmed 

By Siculan Pelorus overhung: — 

And northward now she headed, past the Isles 905 

iEolian, — past Leucosia, — past the mines 

Of Temese, and past the sunny fields 

Where deep in roses stand the Psestan fanes. 

By Caprece thence, and by the promontory 

Crowned with Minerva's temple, — by the vines 910 

That clothe Surrentum's hills, and by the town 

Of Hercules, — by Stabise, — by thy seat 

Of ease and soft delight, Parthenope, — 

Beyond Cumaea's Sibyl's ancient shrine, — 

Beyond Linternum's steaming founts and groves 915 

Of odorous mastic, — where Vulturnus rolls 

Turbid with sand his torrent to the Sea, — 



Book XV.] ^SCULAPIUS BROUGHT TO ROME. 527 

By Sinuessa's snake-infested shore, — 

By fever-vexed Minturnae, — by the town 

]STamed from the ^sTurse by Venus' son entombed, — 920 

And by the City of Antiphates, — 

By Trachas' marsh-girt walls, — by Circe's realm, — 

To Antium's firmer beach she passed : — and there — 

For now the heaving waters boded storm — 

Awhile furled sail and moored. The Serpent-God 925 

His orbed folds uncoiling shoreward trailed 

His bulk voluminous, and to the fane 

Baised to his Sire beside the yellow strand 

Paid duteous visit. When the Seas were calmed, — 

That hospitable shelter left, — again 930 

He sought the ship : — against his scaly mail 

The furrowed shingle rattled as he passed. — 

And, swarming up the rudder, took again 

His station on the poop : — till by the walls 

Of Castrum, by Lavinium's sacred seat, 93 5 

By Ostia's port, up Tiber's stream she turned. 

Breasting the flood for Borne. Tumultuous forth 

The City poured to greet her : — high and low, — 

Burgher and Dame, — the holy Maids that guard 

The flame of Trojan Yesta swelled the throng, — 940 

"With loud acclaim of welcome ! — On the banks, 

As swift her oarsmen stemmed the adverse stream, 

Blazed a long line of altars, sweetening Heaven 

With fume of crackling incense : and at each 

Its ministering Priest, with reeking knife 945 

Bed from a slaughtered victim. Queenly Borne 

By this was won. About the main-mast coiled 

The Serpent-God ascending gazed around 



528 APOTHEOSIS OF JULIUS C^SAR. [Book XV. 

In quest of fitting seat. A spot there stands, — 

Eome calls it "Insula;" — the branching stream 950 

Above it parts and reunites below, 

With equal arm embracing either side. 

That spot He chose; and thither from the bark 

Of Latium gliding, — there enshrined, — again 

His form celestial took. The Plague was stayed, — 955 

And Eome reviving blessed the healing God ! 

So stands among her Deities enrolled 
A stranger Power. In Julius she adores 
Her City's genuine Son, — in Peace and War 
Peerless alike : — nor for his conquests won 960 

In field, for rule domestic, — for the life 
That made his Eome the glory of the world, — 
Worthier the place in Heaven where now he shines 
In comet-radiance new among the stars, 
Than for his Progeny. Of all his acts 965 

Eome thanks him more for none than that he left 
So great an Heir. — 'Twas more, forsooth, to quell 
The sea-girt Briton in his savage isle, — 
Up the seven mouths of reedy Mle to steer 
A conquering fleet, — on swart Numidia's plains 970 

To crush Cinyphian Juba's rebel hordes,— 
To break the spell of Mithridates' name 
And fix on Pontus' neck the yoke of Eome ! — 
Four Triumphs won, and many more deserved, — 
These were great deeds! — but greater far than these 975 
To give the world a Sovereign in whose rule 
The Gods ensure the welfare of mankind ! 

Lest such a Son should seem mere mortal-born 
The Sire must needs be Deified. Too well 



Book XV.] APOTHEOSIS OF JULIUS C^SAR. 529 

The golden Queen that gave iEneas birth 980 

Foresaw her great Descendant's threatened doom, 

The whetted daggers, and the traitor-band 

Sworn to the Pontiff's murder, — and, through Heaven 

To every God made protest: — " See!" she cried — 

" This black conspiracy that threats my race ! 985 

" My one sole relic of lulus' line] 

"Am I alone for ever doomed to know 

" No respite from vexation ? — I, — who felt 

" The spear of Calydonian Diomed, — ■ 

"I, in whose ears rings fearful yet the wail 990 

" Of desolated Troy, — who saw my Son 

" Driven far and wide a wanderer o'er the Seas, 

" Ay, down to very Hell ! — who watched his strife 

" With Turnus or with Juno, — for 'twas She 

" That stirred and fed the war! — Yet why recall 995 

" My race's ancient wrongs, when present fear 

" Absorbing leaves no leisure for their sense 1 

" At me these blades are aimed ! Protect me, Gods ! 

" Forbid the crime ! nor let these murderers quench 

" The flame of Vesta in her Pontiff's blood! " 1000 

So, passionate, with impotent appeal 
Through Heaven went Venus : and the pitying Gods 
Were moved, — though never God may hope to change 
The iron Laws of those old Sisters Three. 
Yet manifest with token and with sign 1005 

Heaven spoke its horror of the woe to come : — 
Through all the darkened welkin terrible 
Eang tumult as of battle, trumpet-clang 
And clash of rattling arms : — the saddened Sun 
Gave lurid omen to the anxious Earth 10 10 

2l 



530 APOTHEOSIS OF JULIUS C^SAR. [Book XV. 

Of that impending crime : — wild meteor-fires 

Mashed torch-like 'mid the courses of the stars ; 

And bloody drops fell mingled with the showers. 

The clear white face of Lucifer was blurred 

With dusky stains: — the chariot of the moon 1015 

With sanguine spots be-sprent: — the Stygian owl 

Foreboding hooted from a thousand towers : — 

The ivory statues in a thousand fanes 

Wept visible tears : — and in the sacred groves 

Men heard, they say, mysterious chanted dirge 1020 

With threatening voices blent. No victim slain 

Gave normal sign; — pale fibre, wasted heart, 

And maimed and headless liver warned of blood 

And civil tumult ! — howl of midnight dogs 

Vexed Forum, Fane, and Palace: — Shadowy forms 1025 

Of men long buried from the Silent Eealm 

Arose and visible wandered through the streets : — 

And Earthquake tremors rocked the frighted town ! 

But, spite of sign and portent, Fate-ordained 
The traitor-plot went on. The Temple's self 1030 

Saw flash the impious daggers ! In all Eome 
Guilt found no spot for murder's bloody work 
So fitting as the Curia's sacred seat ! 

Then, frantic, on her breast with either hand 
Smote Cytherea. With such cloud as erst i°35 

Saved Paris from the wrath of Atreus' son, 
As rescued once iEneas from the steel 
Of Diomed, she would have sped to shroud 
His greater progeny : — but then out-spake 
The Sire of Gods. " Think' st thou, fair Daughter mine, 
" Alone to conquer Fate unconquerable? 1041 



Book XV.] APOTHEOSIS OF JULIUS CAESAR. 531 

" Seek, if thou wilt, thyself the dread abodes 

" "Where dwell the Sisters Three : — Thyself may'st see 

" On massive tablets graved of brass and stone 

" The course ordained of things, unchangeable, 1045 

" Eternal, and secure, though thunder-clash 

" And lightning-blaze in ruin whelm the world ! 

" Read, written on those adamantine leaves, 

" Thy race's destiny: — or hear from Me — 

" Who read it there long since and mind it well — 1050 

" Its purport, and be warned of what must be ! 

" The life thine efforts, Goddess, would redeem 

" Hath run its Fated course : — the years he owed 

" To Earth are paid : — 'tis thine to give him now 

" Worship of men and place with Gods in Heaven. 1055 

" This be thy care, and His, who with the name 

" Of Caesar heirs the burden of his Rome; 

" To whose great vengeance for his Parent slain 

" Ourself shall be Ally. His conquering arms 

" From siege shall free beleaguered Mutina: — 1060 

" Pharsalia and Philippi, twice with blood 

" (Emathian crimsoned, shall confess his might : — 

" And, on Sicilian seas, great Pompey's Son 

" Than Pompey meet a Greater: — ^Egypt's Queen 

" Find vain the charms that won a Roman Spouse, 1065 

" And rue her vaunt to make the Capitol 

" Bow vassal to Canopus ! — Barbarous realms 

"I count not, won on either side the Sea; 

" For but to name them were to catalogue 

"The habitable world! The Ocean's self 1070 

" Shall be his subject. Then, when Earth at peace 

" His Empire owns and blesses, civil cares 



532 THE REIGN OF AUGUSTUS. [Book XV. 

" Shall claim him; — equal laws to him shall owe 

"Their ordinance; — his great example rule 

" The morals of the State. He, for the weal 1075 

" Of unhorn generations provident, 

" Born of his sacred Spouse shall leave an Heir 

" Worthy his name and sceptre : — nor removed 

" Till Time with glory crown him as with years 

"Ascend to join his kindred orbs above! 1080 

" Meanwhile, be thine from yon slain corse to snatch 
" The issuing soul, and change it to a Star 
" That on my Forum and my Capitol 
" For evermore shall favouring look from Heaven ! " 

Scarce had Jove ceased, when in the Senate's midst 
Stood Yenus, seen of none: — and, ere the soul 1086 

Of her slain Csesar from the mangled limbs 
New-parting vanished in dispersing air, 
Caught it, and bore it upward to the stars ; 
And soaring felt it kindle, glow, and burst 1090 

In flame, and from her bosom flung the freight 
Amid the Heavens. High o'er the moon it flew, 
And, trailing lambent glory through the skies, 
In spacious orbit whirled, amid the Fires 
Celestial blazed a Comet! — Thence he sees I0 95 

Earth happy in his Heir's benignant sway, 
And, glad to be so conquered, in his Son 
Exults to own a Greater than himself ! 
What though that pious Son would fain forbid 
A praise beyond his Sire's, — the voice of Fame, 1100 

Fame the free Judge that, uncontrolled of Kings, 
Her sentence speaks, disloyal here alone, 
'Spite of his will, prefers him. Atreus so 



Book XV.] PERORATION. 533 

In Agamemnon's glory saw Ms own 

Transcended: — Theseus and Achilles so 1105 

Of iEgeus and of Peleus topped the fame : — 

Or, not to miss a worthier parallel, — 

So great Saturnus' self was less than Jove ! 

Jove rules the Heavens ahove : — Augustus rules 

The Earth below : — alike in each we own mo 

The Father and the Sovereign. Ye Gods 

Whose guardianship of old from sword and flame 

Led safe Anchises' Son ! Ye native Powers 

Rome's Deified Indigetes ! and Thou, 

Quirinus, Rome's great Author ! and Thou, Mars, 1 1 1 5 

Quirinus' Sire ! — Bright Yesta, holiest held 

Of Caesar's household-Gods, and, by her side 

Apollo, shrined domestic in his halls ! 

Thou, mightiest Jove, whose honoured temple crowns 

The rock Tarpeian! and all Gods unnamed 11 20 

Whose grace a Poet blameless may invoke ! — 

Par distant be the day, and to an age 

Not ours deferred, when that beloved Head 

That rules the Earth shall quit it, and, a God, 11 24 

Prom Heaven's great distance hear the prayers of Rome ! 



PERORATION. 

So crown I here a work that dares defy 

The wrath of Jove, the fire, the sword, the tooth 

Of all-devouring Time ! — Come when it will 

The day that ends my life's uncertain term, — 

That on this corporal frame alone hath power 1130 



534 



PERORATION. 



To work extinction, — high above the Stars 
My nobler part shall soar, — my Name remain 
Immortal, — wheresoe'er the might of Rome 
O'er-awes the subject Earth my Verse survive 
Familiar in the mouths of men ! — and, if 
A Bard may prophesy, while Time shall last 
Endure, and die but with the dying World ! 



[Book XV. 



"35 



INDEX OF PRINCIPAL CONTENTS. 



A. 

Acastus purifies Peleus, xi. 524. 

Acelemexides, adventures of, xiv. 198-276. 

Achelotjs, stops Theseus, viii. 662; drowns the Naiads, viii. 693; 
tells tale of Perimele, viii. 713; of Erisicthon, viii. 905- 
1088; of his contest with Hercules, ix. 1-116; his daughters 
Sirens, v. 700, xiv. 110. 

Achilles, birth of, xi. 344; his duel with Cygnus, xii. 100-197; 
banquets with the Chiefs, xii. 202; death of, xii. 736-784; 
contest for the arms of, xii. 785, xiii. 1 ; demands sacrifice of 
Polyxena, xiii. 595 ; Memnon killed by him, xiii. 773. 

Acis and Galatea, story of, xiii. 991. 

Aconite, origin of, vii. 525-530. 

Accetes, story of, iii. 702-837. 

Acrisius, father of Danae, iv. 723; bars Bacchus from Argos, iii. 676, 
iv. 717. 

Action, story of, iii. 152. 

Adonis, story of, x. 665-741; ibid., 930-970. 

^Eacus, King of ^Egina, xiii. 30 ; visited by Minos, vii. 588; by Ce- 
phalus, vii. 611 ; his extreme age, ix. 538-545. 

JEgeus, marries Medea, vii. 514; recognises Theseus, vii. 535; 
threatened by Minos, vii. 605. 

JEgina, beloved by Jove, mother of JSacus, vi. 140, vii. 646. 

xEgina, story of the Plague of, vii. 639-802. 

-Egypt, flight of the Gods to, v. 408. 

.Exeas, escapes from Troy, xiii. 826 ; visits Anius, xiii. 836 ; Dido, 
xiv. 97; the Cumrean Sibyl, xiv. 128; descends to Hades, 
xiv. 144; strife with Turnus, xiv. 552-645; translated to 
heaven, xiv. 701-733 ; prophecy of Helenus to, xv. 564. 

-Eolidse, the incestuous, ix. 625. 



536 INDEX OF PRINCIPAL CONTENTS. 

JEolus, xi. 552-954 et passim. 

.ZEsacus changed to a cormorant, xi. 960-1017. 

jEscttlapius, birth of, ii. 729 ; brought to Eome, xv. 796-956. 

jEson restored to youth, vii. 224-388. 

^Ethiopian narcotic lakes, xv. 408. 

JStna, xv. 436. 

Agamemnon and Iphigenia, xiii. 238-255. 

Agave kills Pentheus, iii. 869. 

Agenor sends Cadmus in search of Europa, iii. 1. 

Ages of Gold, Silver, Brass, and Iron, i. 110-182. 

Aglauros, story of, changed to a statue, ii. 865-977. 

Agmon, impious speech of, changed to a bird, xiv. 594. 

Ajax, rival of Ulysses for arms of Achilles, xii. 791 ; his speech, 

xiii. 6 ; his defeat and suicide, xiii. 519. 
Alba and Latium, early kings of, xiv. 737-942. 
Alcidamas, his daughter changed to a dove, vii. 471. 
Alcides — see Hercules. 

Alcinous, his galley turned to a rock, xiv. 683. 
Alcithoe (Minyad), iv. 1 ; tells the tale of Salmacis and Herma- 

phroditus, iv. 345 ; changed to a bat, iv. 480-90. 
Alcmena, vi. 136, viii. 655, ix. 29-345. 
Alcon the Sculptor, xiii. 905. 
Alcyone and Ceyx, story of, xi. 525-956. 
Aloidse, sons of Jove, vi. 144. 
Alpheus and Arethusa, story of, v. 732-810. 
ALTHiEA and Meleager, story of, viii. 531-629. 
Amenanus (river), its variable flood, xv. 357. 
Ammon, iv. 792, v. 414 ; his hot and cold fount, xv. 395. 
Amphiaraus, viii. 378, ix. 504. 
Amphion, his sons, vi. 286 ; his suicide, vi. 349. 
Anaxarete and Iphis, story of, xiv. 847-928. 
Ancseus, killed by the Calydonian boar, viii. 464-475. 
Anchises, ix. 527, xiii. 828-849, xiv. 147. 
Andromeda and Perseus, story of, iv. 783 to end, v. 294. 
Anigros (river), how tainted, xv. 361. 
Anius, (king and priest), xiii. 836 ; his daughters changed to birds, 

xiii. 885. 
Antseus, ix. 230. 

Antigone, daughter of Laomedon, changed to a bird, vi. 114. 
Antiope (Nyctseis) and Jupiter, vi. 136. 
Antiphates, king of the Lsestrigones, xiv. 289. 
Ants made Men, vii. 775-794. 
Apollo, passim — see Chione, Coronis, Clymene, Clytie, Cypa- 

rissus, Daphne, Hyacinthus, Isse, Leucothoe, Marsyas, 






INDEX OF PRINCIPAL CONTENTS. 537 

Midas, Niobe, Pan, Persa, Phaeton, Python, Ehodos, 

Sibyl : a shepherd, ii. 793, vi. 154; a crow in Egypt, v. 415 ; 

a hawk, vi. 155; a lion, vi. 155; helps to build Troy, xi. 258. 
Appulus changed to a wild olive-tree, xiv. 629-640. 
Arachne turned to a spider, story of, vi. 1-186. 
Ardea, a heron springs from the ruins of, xiv. 692-700. 
Arethusa, v. 616 ; and Alpheus, story of, v. 732-810. 
Argo, voyage of, vii. 1 ; xv. 429. 
Argus, killed by Mercury, i. 820. 
Ariadne made a star by Bacchus, viii. 203. 
Arne and Neptune, vi. 143. 
Ascalaphus changed to an owl, v. 681-697. 
Asterie and Jupiter, vi. 133. 
Astyanax, death of, xiii. 560. 
Astylus (Centaur-prophet), xii. 400. 
Atalanta and Hippomenes, story of, x. 742-926 ; at the hunting of 

the Calydonian boar, viii. 381. 
Athamanian springs, miraculous, xv. 398. 
Athamas and Ino, story of, iv. 495-648. 
Athis killed by Perseus, v. 63-75. 
Atlas changed to a mountain, iv. 744-782. 
Attis or Atys changed to a fir-tree, x. 134. 
Augustus, eulogy of, xv. 1099-1125. 
Aurora and Cephalus, tale of, vii. 852 ; and Tithonus, ix. 522 ; and 

Memnon, tale of, xiii. 768-821. 
Autolycus, son of Mercury, his craft, xi. 403. 

B. 

Bacchus, birth of, iii. 377 ; dishonoured by Pentheus, iii. 641 ; 
changes sailors to fish, iii. 790 ; changes Alcithoe and her 
sisters to bats, iv. 480 ; a goat in Egypt, v. 416 ; and Erigone, 
vi. 159 ; rejuvenates his nurses, vii. 389 ; and Ariadne, viii. 
202 ; turns Thracian Moenads to trees, xi. 83 ; daughters of 
Anius to birds, xiii. 885. 

Battus turned to a stone, ii. 802-827. 

Baucis and Philemon, story of, viii. 757-888. 

Belides, the, iv. 549, x. 55. 

Beroe, Juno assumes shape of, iii. 337. 

Bianor, the Centaur, xii. 442. 

Bisaltis (Theophane), vi. 145. 

BoreaDjE (Zetes and Calais) winged, vi. 943 ; and the Harpies, vii. 5. 

Boreas and Orithyia, tale of, vi. 898-943. 

Brass, the Age of, i. 152. 

Buris, submerged city of, xv. 375. 



538 INDEX OF PRINCIPAL CONTENTS. 

Busiris, killed by Hercules, ix. 228. 
Byblis and Caunus, story of, ix. 562-828. 

C. 

Cadmus, story of, iii. 1 ; changed to a serpent, iv. 670-710. 

CiENETTS, story of, xii. 228-276 ; ibid., 590-678. 

C^enis, same as Ceneus. 

Caicus, new name of river Mysus, xv. 356. 

Caieta, her epitaph, xiv. 541. 

Calais — see Boreal^. 

Calanra, King and Queen of, turned to birds, vii. 487. 

Calliope, song of, v. 432-840. 

Callirrhoe's sons restored to youth, ix. 513-535. 

Callisto, story of, ii. 468. 

Calydonian Boae, the history of the, viii. 318. 

Canens and Picas, story of, xiv. 383-529. 

Caphareus, wreck of Diomedes at, xiv. 578-587. 

Cassiope, mother of Andromeda, iv. 794-876. 

Castor and Pollux, viii. 356-442. 

Caunus and Byblis, story of, ix. 562-828. 

Celmis turned to stone, iv. 340. 

Centaurs and Lapitble, battle of the, xii. 277-683. 

Cephalus, arrives at iEgina, vii. 611 ; story of his spear, vii. 819 ; 

of his dog Lselaps, vii. 922 ; and Aurora, vii. 851 ; and 

Procris, vii. 843. 
Cepheus, father of Andromeda, iv. 792; v. 14-56. 
Cephisus and Liriope, iii. 412 ; his son turned to a seal, vii. 492. 
Cerambus changed to a bird, vii. 455. 
Cerast-E changed to oxen, x. 275-294. 
Cerberus dragged from hell by Hercules, vii. 520. 
Cercopians changed to apes, xiv. 114. 
Ceres, her quest for Proserpine, v. 555 ; changes a boy to a lizard, 

v. 564 ; teaches Triptolemus, v. 811 ; turns Lyncus to a lynx, 

v. 838 ; and Neptune, vi. 147 ; and Eresicthon, viii. 908 ; 

and Iasion, ix. 523. 
Ceyx and Alcyone, story of, xi. 525-956. 
Chamseleon, xv. 530. 
Chaos, i. 6. 
Charybdis, vii. 92. 
Chima?ra, ix. 805. 
Chione, story of, xi. 387-421. 
Chiron, ii. 732, vi. 160. 

Cinyras the Assyrian, daughters of, turned to stone, vi. 120. 
Cinyras and Myrrha, story of, x. 380-664. 



INDEX OF PRINCIPAL CONTENTS. 539 

Cipptts, story of, xv. 732-795. 

Circe and Glaucus, xiv. 10-87; and Scylla, xiv. 51-92; and 

Picus, xiv. 424-484 ; and Ulysses, xiv. 360-368. 
Cleitor, or Clitor, sobering virtue of the fount of, xv. 411. 
Clvmene, i. 867 ; ii. 384. 
Clytie, story of, iv. 283 ; ibid., 310-328. 
Co an "Women" turned to cows, vii. 465. 
Combe changed to a bird, vii. 485. 
Coral, origin of, iv. 885-895, xv. 536. 
Corinthians, sprung from mushrooms, vii. 498. 
Coronse, legend of the, xiii. 924. 
Coronis and Apollo, story of, ii. 629. 
Crathis (river), transforming power of, xv. 403. 
Cretans sprung from showers, iv. 342. 
Creusa, wife of Jason, and Medea, vii. 500. 
Crocos turned to a flower, iv. 343. 
Crotona, origin of, xv. 67. 
Crow and the Raven, the, ii. 634. 
Ctjalean Sibyl, her story, xiv. 161-189. 
Cyane, story of, v. 518-554; ibid., 590. 
Cyanee, ix. 559. 

Cybele turns Trojan ships to sea-nymphs, xiv. 650-673. 
Cyclops — see Polyphemus. 
Cycnus or Cygnus (son of Sthenelus) turned to a swan, ii. 425 ; 

vii. 474. 

(son of Neptune), his story, xii. 99-197. 

Cyllarus and Hylonome (centaurs), story of, xii. 508-555. 
Cyparisstts, story of, x. 136-179. 

D. 

D^dalion, story of, xi. 374-443. 

Daedalus and Icarus, story of, viii. 209-273. 

Danae, iv. 723-826 ; vi. 139. 

Daphne and Apollo, story of, i. 525-656. 

Daphnis, changed to stone, iv. 336. 

Deianira, story of, ix. 10-197. 

Deluge, the, L 310-370. 

Deo'is (Proserpina) vi. 142. 

Dercetis changed to a fish, iv. 60. 

Deucalion and Pyrrha, story of, i. 371. 

Diana — see Action, Callisto, Chione, Niobe ; a cat in Egypt, 

v. 416. 
Dido, xiv. 97. 
Diomedes, adventures of, xiv. 570-623. 



540 INDEX OF PRINCIPAL CONTENTS. 

Dis — see Pluto. 

Dog turned to stone — see Ljelaps. 
Dorylas, the Centaur, xii. 488. 
Dryope, story of, ix. 411-488. 

E. 

Echinades (islands) Naiads changed to, viii. 690-712. 

Echion, iii, 147; viii. 372. 

Echo, story of, iii. 430. 

Egeria changed to a fountain, xv. 635-711. 

Egypt, flight of the Gods to, v. 407. 

Envy, the home of, ii. 889. 

Epaphus (son of Io), i. 857. 

Epops — see Tereus. 

Erasmus (river), disappearance and reappearance of, xv. 352. 

Ericthonius, legend of, ii. 641 ; ix. 524. 

Erigone and Bacchus, vi. 159 ; made a star, x. 593. 

Eresicthon starved to death, viii. 905-1089 ; ix. 524. 

Eumelus, his daughter turned to a bird, vii. 494. 

Europa, story of, ii. 981 ; iii. 1-4. 

Eurydice and Orpheus, story of, x. 1-110. 

Eurytus, the Centaur, xii. 295. 

F. 
Fame, the house of, xii. 56-88. 
Famine, the house of, viii. 980-993. 
Faunus and Symsethis (parents of Acis), xiii. 991. 
Fountains (of Home) changed from cold to hot, xiv. 959-979. 

G. 

Galatea and Acis, story of, xiii. 991. 

Galanthis turned to a weasel, ix. 379-403. 

Ganymedes, x. 193 ; xi. 965. 

Gerana turned to a crane, vi. 111. 

Geryon, his cattle stolen by Hercules, ix. 231 ; xv. 16. 

Giants, their war with the Gods, i. 184. 

Glaucus and Scylla, story of, xiii. 1178 ; and Circe, xiv. 10-87. 

Golden Age, the, i. 110. 

Gorgon— see Medusa. 

Gryneus the Centaur, xii. 342. 

H. 

H^mus changed to a mountain, vi. 108. 
Halcyone — see Alcyone. 



( 



INDEX OF PRINCIPAL CONTENTS. 54 1 

Harpies, the, vii. 5 ; xiii. 940. 

Hecuba, story of, xiii. 550-767. 

Helenus, xiii. 955, prophecy of, to iEneas, xv. 566. 

Heliades (Phaeton's sisters) changed to poplars, ii. 395. 

Helice, a submerged Achaian city, xv. 375. 

Hercules steals Geryon's cattle, xv. 16 ; and Achelous, ix. 1-116; 
andl^ESSUS, ix. 117-160; and Mtscelus, xv. 26; andLiCHAS, 
ix. 190-269; his death and apotheosis, ix. 190-341. 

Hermaphroditus and Salmacis, story of, iv. 345-459. 

Herse and Mercurtus, story of, ii. 846 

Hersilia, wife of Romulus, apotheosis of, xiv. 1021. 

Hesione married to Telamon, xi. 281. 

Hesperie, xi. 982. 

Hippodame married to Pirithous, xii. 278. 

Hippolytus (or Virbius), story of, xv. 640-709. 

Hippomanes and Atalanta, story of, x. 742-926. 

Hippotades — see iEolus. 

Hyacinthus and Apollo, story of, x. 201-271. 

Hysena, of shifting sex, xv. 528. 

Hyllus married to Iole, ix. 350. 

Hylokome and Ctllarus (centaurs), story of, xii. 508-555. 

Hypanis (river), sweet and salt, xv. 366. 

Hyperboreans, feathered, xv. 458. 

Hyrie changed to a lake, vii. 483. 

1. 

Ialysians drowned by Jupiter, vii. 469. 

Ianthe and Iphis, story of, ix. 829-994. 

Iasion and Ceres, ix. 523. 

Icarus and Daedalus, story cf, viii. 209-273. 

Inachus (river-god), father of Io, i. 674. 

Ixo and Melicerta made sea-gods, iv. 630-648. 

Ixvidia — see Envy. 

Io and Jupiter, story of, i. 657-857. 

Iolaus restored to youth, ix. 493. 

Iole and Alcmena, ix. 344-396. 

Iphis and Axaxarete, story of, xiv. 847-928. 

and Ianthe, story of, ix. 829-994. 

Iphigenia, sacrifice of, xii. 36-52. 

Iphimedia and jSTeptune, vi. 144. 

Iris sent to Somnus, xi. 747. 

Iron, the Age of, i. 155. 

Islands severed from the continent, xv. 370; joined to it, xv. 368. 

Isse and Apollo, vi. 157. 

■ 



542 INDEX OF PRINCIPAL CONTENTS. 

Itts, murder of, vi. 809-869. 
Ixion and Juno, iv. 547-552. 

J. 

Jason and Medea, story of, vii. 1-395; builds Argo, viii. 358. 

Jove — see Jupiter. 

Judex Actiacus turned to stone, xiii. 945. 

Julius Csesar, apotheosis of, xv. 978-1098. 

Juno, passim— see .ZEgina, Alcmena, Argus, Athamas, Beroe, 
Callisto, Echo, Europa, Hercules, Hersilia, Ino, Io, 
Latona,.Semele, Somnus ; changed to a cow in Egypt, v. 417. 

Jupiter, passim — see ^Egina, Alcmena, Aloid^e, Antiope, Asterie, 
Baucis, Bisaltis, Callisto, Ceres, Cercopes, Danae, 
Deois, Europa, Ganymedes, Io, Leda, Lycaon, Mnemo- 
syne, Nyctleis, Philemon, Semele, Telchines, Theophane, 
Thetis; changed to a ram in Egypt, v. 413. 



Labyrinth, the Cretan, viii. 177-193, 

L^elaps, dog of Cephalus, turned to stone, vii. 922-959. 

Laomedon builds Troy, xi. 259. 

Lapith,e and Centaurs, battle of, xii. 277-683. 

Latona, Niobe's contempt of, punished, vi. 203-405 ; her travail, 

vi. 241 ; Juno's persecution of, vi. 437 ; changes Lycian 

boors to frogs, vi. 410. 
Latreus, the Centaur, xii. 595. 
Leda, vi. 135. 
Lelex, speech of, viii. 754. 
Leth^ea changed to a rock, x. 87. 
Leuconoe (Minyad) changed to a bat, iv. 480-490. 
Leucothoe and Apollo story of, iv. 232-309. 

new name of Ino, iv. 648. 

Liber — see Bacchus. 

Lichas and Hercules, ix. 190-269. 

Lotis turned to a lotos-plant, ix. 432. 

Lucina hinders Alcmena's travail, ix. 365. 

Lycabas killed by Perseus, v. 75-93. 

Lycaon changed to a wolf, i. 197-286. 

Lycian Boors changed to frogs, vi. 410-490. 

Lycus (river), disappearance and reappearance of, xv. 350. 

Lygdus — see Iphis and Ianthe. 

Lyncestius (river), intoxicating power of, xv. 420. 

Lyncus turned by Ceres to a lynx, v. 837. 

Lynx, urine of, turned to gems, xv. 532. 



INDEX OF PRINCIPAL CONTENTS. 543 



M. 
Macareus, adventures of, xiv. 277-537. 
M^ra turned to a bitch, vii. 464. 
Manto, her warning to Thebes, vi. 203. 
Maes and Yenus caught, iv. 209-231. 
Marsyas and Apollo, story of, vi. 492-514. 
Medea and Jason, story of, vii. 1-395; and iEsoN, vii. 224-388; 

and Pelias, vii. 395-451; and Creusa, vii. 496 ; and ^Egeus, 

vii. 512. 
Medusa, story of, iv. 920-960 ; and Neptune, vi. 148. 
Melampus cures the Prsetides of madness, xv. 416. 
Melantho and Neptunus, vi. 151. 
Meleager kills the Calydonian Boar, viii. 490; kills Toxeus and 

Plexippus, viii. 520; his death, viii. 617. 
Melicerta made a sea-god (Palsemon), iv. 630-648. 
Memnon, birds generated from his funeral pyre, xiii. 796. 
Memnonides, xiii. 819. 
Menephron (incestuous), vii. 490. 
Menthe changed to the herb mint, x. 959. 
Mercttrius, passim — see Aglauros, Argus, Battus, Baucis, 

Chione, Herse, Philemon; changed to an Ibis in Egypt, 

v. 418. 
Metra, Eresicthon's daughter, transformations of, viii. 1044-1082. 
Midas, story of, xi. 112-252. 
Miletus and Minos, ix. 549. 
Minerva — see Arachne, Aglauros ; visits the Muses, v. 318 ; visits 

the home of Envy, ii. 889. 
Minos and Scylla, story of, viii. 6-170; visits iEacus, vii. 588; his 

age, ix. 540-546. 
Minotaur, the, viii. 175. 
Mintads turned to bats, iv. 1-490. 
Mnemosyne and Jupiter, vi. 141. 
Molossus' sons turned to birds, xiii. 950. 
Mopsus, viii. 376; xii. 587-673. 
Morpheus, xi. 809. 
Myrmidons — see Ants. 
Myrrha and Cinyras, story of, x. 380-661. 
Myscelus, story of, xv. 25-72. 
Mysus (river), changed course and name of, xv. 354. 

N. 
Naiads changed to islands, viii. 690-712. 
Nais chariged to a fish, iv. 67. 



544 INDEX OF PRINCIPAL CONTENTS. 

Narcissus, story of, iii. 410-613. 

Neptunus at the Deluge, i. 329 ; his contest with Pallas, vii. 93 ; 
helps to build Troy, xi. 262 ; his loves with Arne, Ceres, 
Iphimedia, Medusa, Melantho, vi. 142-151 ; with Cjenis, 
xii. 

Nereus, his prophecy to Thetis, xi. 287. 

Nessus (Centaur), his treachery and death, ix. 117-160. 

Nestor, viii. 373, 434 • xii. 223, 492, 690. 

Nileus, v. 238. 

Niobe, story of, vi. 189-405. 

Nisus and Scylla, story of, viii. 6-170. 

Nixi, the, ix. 364. 

Numa Pompilius, pupil of Pythagoras, xv. 5, 623. 

Nyctseis (Antiope) and Jupiter, vi. 136. 

Nyctimene, changed to an owl, ii. 685-693. 

O. 

Ocyrrhoe, changed to a mare, ii. 740-789. 

Olenus, changed to a rock, x. 86. 

Ora — see Hers ilia. 

Orion's daughters, legend of, xiii. 916. 

Orithyia and Boreas, story of, vi. 899-943. 

Orpheus and Eurydice, story of, x. 1-110 ; his death, xi. 1-82. 

Ortygia (Delos) movable, made stationary, xv. 427. 

P. 

Pactolus — see Midas. 

Palamedes, xiii. 68, 414. 

Palsemon, new name of Melicerta, q. v. 

Pallas — see Minerva. 

Pan and Syrinx, story of, i. 793-818 ; and Apollo, xi. 202-230. 

Pandion, vi. 552 ; ibid., 892. 

Paris kills Achilles, xii. 759. 

Pasiphae, viii. 152, 176 ; ix. 915. 

Pegasus, birth of, iv. 938 ; and Hippocrene, v. 319. 

Peleus and Thetis, stoiy of, xi. 287-344 ; his exile, wanderings, and 

purification, xi. 345-524. 
Pelias and his daughters, story of, vii. 395-451. 
Pelops and his ivory shoulder, vi. 519-529. 
Penthesilea, xii. 773. 
Pentheus, story of, iii. 614-877. 

Perdix (or Talus) changed to a partridge, viii. 275-304. 
Periclymenus, story of, xii. 690-727. 
Perimele changed to an island, viii. 715-743. 



INDEX OF PRINCIPAL CONTENTS. 545 

Periphas changed to a bird, vii. 509. 

Persa, mother of Circe, iv. 250. 

Perseus and Medusa, iv. 920 ; and Atlas, iv. 744 ; and Andro- 
meda, iv. 793; and Phineus, v. 1-293; and Prcetus, v. 296; 
and Polydeotes, v. 308. 

Phceocomes, the Centaur, xii. 556. 

Phaeton, story of, i. 861 ; ii, 1. 

Phantasus, xi. 816. 

Pheneos (river), both wholesome and poisonous, xv. 423. 

Philammon, son of Apollo, by Chione, xi. 406. 

Philemon and Baucis, story of, viii. 757-888. 

Philoctetes, ix. 292 ; xiii. 58, 421-451. 

Philomela and Tereus, story of, vi. 548-892. 

Philyra and Saturn, vi. 160. 

Phineus turned to stone by Perseus, v. 1-293. 

Phineus (another) and the Harpies, vii. 3. 

Phineus (another) changed to a bird, vii. 509. 

Phobetor, xi. 816. 

Phocus, vii. 813 ; xi. 347. 

Phcebus — see Apollo. 

Phoenix, account of the, xv. 506. 

Phyllius and Cycnus, story of, vii. 473. 

Picus and Canens, story of, xiv. 383-529. 

Pierides, story of the, v. 375; changed to magpies, v. 841-862. 

Pirithous, wedding of, xii. 277 ; at the Calydonian Hunt, viii. 360, 
477. 

Pithecusans— see Cercopes. 

Plexippus, viii. 524. 

Pluto and Proserpine, story of, v. 455-718. 

Polydectes turned to stone, v. 303-312. 

Polydorus, murder of, xiii. 590. 

Polymestor murders Polydorus, xiii. 590; blinded by Hecuba, xiii. 
750. 

Polypemon's grand-daughter changed to a bird, vii. 510. 

Polyphemus, Galatea, and Acis, story of, xiii. 990. 

Polyxena, sacrifice of, xiii. 604-644. 

Pomona and Vertumnus, story of, xiv. 752-941. 

Priapus and Lotis, story of, ix. 432. 

Procne, Philomela, and Tereus, story of, vi. 548-892. 

Procris and Cephalus, story of, vii. 843. 

Pnetides mad, cured by Melampus, xv. 418. 

Proetus turned to stone by Perseus, v. 194-302. 

Prometheus, i. 101. 

Propostides turned to stone, x. 295-301. 

2 M 



546 INDEX OF PRINCIPAL CONTENTS. 

Proserpina and Pluto, story of, v. 487-718; and Ascalaphus, v. 

681-699. 
Protesilaus, xii. 94. 

Proteus, his warning to Peleus, xi. 323 ; shapes of, viii. 897. 
Pygmalion, story of, x. 302-379. 
Pygmcea — see Gerana. 
Pyramus and Thisbe, story of, iv. 73-203. 
Pyreneus and the Muses, story of, v. 344-365. 
Pyrrha and Deucalion, legend of, i. 371. 
Pythagoras, philosophy of, xv. 92. 
Python, killed by Apollo, i. 509-524. 

Q. 

Quirinus, Romulus deified, xiv. 987-1020. 

R. 
Raven and the Crow, legends of, ii. 621. 
Rhadamanthus, his age, ix. 539, 545. 
Rhsetus, the Centaur, xii. 358. 
Rhodope changed to a mountain, vi. 107. 
Rhodos and Apollo, iv. 249; vii. 467. 

Romulus, legend of his spear turned to a tree, xv. 726 ; apotheosis 
of, xiv. 987. 



Salmacis and Hermaphroditus, story of, iv. 345-459 ; xv. 408. 
Saturnus changed to a horse for Philyra, vi. 146. 
Sctlla, Minos, and Nisus, story of, viii. 1-170. 

and Galatea, xiii. 977; and Glaucus, story of, xiii. 1178 ; 

changed to a monster, xiv. 51-84. 
Scyron's bones turned to rocks, vii. 559. 
Scythian witches able to fly, xv. 462. 
Scython changed to a woman, iv. 338. 
Semele, story of, iii. 314. 
Semiramis changed to a dove, iv. 63. 
Serpent changed to stone, xi. 69-74 ; xii. 32. 
Sibyl, story of the Cumjean, xiv. 161-189. 
Sicily disjoined from the mainland, xv. 372. 
Silenus, feasted by Midas, xi. 121. 
Silver Age, the, i. 137. 
Sinis, his cruelties, vii. 554. 
Sirens— see Achelous. 
Sithonis changed to a daw, vii. 581. 
Sleep— see Somnus. 



INDEX OF PRINCIPAL CONTENTS. S47. 

Smilax changed to a flower, iv. 343. 

Somnus, the home of, xi. 755-807. 

Sun, the palace of the, ii. 1. 

Sybaris (river), transforming virtue of, xv. 403. 

Symplegades, the, xv. 433. 

Syrinx and Pan, story of, i. 793-818. 

T. 
Tages, legend of, xv. 718-725. 
Talus — see Peedix. 
Tarpeia, xiv. 946. 

Telchines drowned by Jupiter, vii. 469. 
Telemus the augur warns Polyphemus, xiii. 1015. 
Telephus wounded and cured by the spear of Achilles, xii. 149 : xiii. 

226. 
Telethusa — see Iphis and Ianthe. 
Tellus, her appeal to Jove, ii. 316. 
Tereus, Procne, and Philomela, story of, vi. 548-892. 
Theban women changed to stones and birds, iv. 649-669. 
Themis, prophecy of, ix. 500-517; her warning to Atlas, iv. 760. 
Theophane (Bisaltis), vi. 146. 
Thersites, xiii. 312. 
Theseus recognised by GEgeus, vii. 535 ; at the Calydonian Hunt, 

viii. 360, 477 ; entertained by Achelous, viii. 662 ; at Piri- 

thous' wedding, xii. 304. 
Thetis and Peleus, story of, xi. 287-344. 
Thisbe and Pybamus, story of, iv. 73-203. 
Thracian women turned to trees, xi. 83-105. 

Tiresias, change of sex of, iii. 384-409 ; warns Pentheus, iii. 620. 
Tisiphone maddens Athamas and Ino, iv. 572-606. 
Toxeus killed by Meleager, viii. 526. 
Triptolemtts taught by Ceres, v. 816. 
Trcezene, volcanic mountain near, xv. 380. 

Turnus tries to burn iEneas' ships, xiv. 645; his overthrow, xiv. 691. 
Tuscan sailors changed to dolphins, iii. 790-827. 
Typhoeus crushed under iEtna, v. 405, 441. 

U. 
Ulysses and Ajax, contest of, for the arms of Achilles, xiii. 1 ; 
speech of, xiii. 165 ; and Circe, xiv. 360. 

V. 

Venus and Mars detected, iv. 209 ; a fish in Egypt, v. 418 ; stirs 
love of Pluto for Proserpina, v. 461 : and the Cerast^e, x. 



548 INDEX OF PRINCIPAL CONTENTS. 

277; and the Propeptides, x. 295 ; and Pygmalion, x. 341 ; 

and Adonis, x. 665-970 ; her vengeance on Diomedes, xiv. 

584, 595 ; translates jEneas to heaven, xiv. 701-733 ; her 

anguish at the impending murder of Julius Caesar, xv. 980. 
Vertumnus and Pomona, story of, xiv. 752-941. 
Virbius — see Hippolytus. 
Vulcanus, his net for Mars and Venus, iv. 216-231. 

W. 
Wolf turned to marble, xi. 446-519. 

Z. 

Zancle— see Sicily. 

Zetes and Calais— see Boreade;. 



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